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Footballers following in their famous fathers' footsteps

Footballers following in their famous fathers' footsteps

Like father, like son. We've all heard the famous phrase, which is definitely true in the sports world. In history, there has been a constellation of prominent stars whose surnames ring a bell. And, inevitably, these second-generation sports stars are constantly bombarded with expectations and judgments against their father's legacies. While some defy the odds and rise to the occasion, others succumb to pressures and fail to make a name for themselves. Without further ado, here are the top ten footballers with super famous dads in the world.

photo 1/27 © TF-Images

Joe van der Sar

Joe van der Sar

The young goalkeeper Joe van der Sar was born on March 16, 1998, in the Netherlands. He is the next generation of his great, legendary father, who is the world-class shot-stopper, Edwin van der Sar. The 24-year-old Dutch goalkeeper followed his dad’s footsteps to join Man United. That is the club where Edwin devoted his 6 years of playing before 2011.

photo 2/27 © Geert van Erven

His father is a Man United legend

His father is a Man United legend

After his brief stint at Manchester United - where his father Edwin was a true legend goalkeeper, Joe stayed at Noordwijk before going to Ajax with his father as a boss and ended up returning to Noordwijk. He is prepared to debut as a professional football player there.

photo 3/27 © Etsuo Hara

Harvey Neville

Harvey Neville

The son of former England international Phil Neville, Harvey Neville was born on June 26, 2002. He began his professional career at United, moved to rival Manchester City in 2013, and then joined Valencia after his father and uncle took over the team. Later, he relocated and joined Valencia and Manchester City's youth teams to play. Neville visited Manchester United once more in 2018, before being called to the Republic of Ireland U19 team in October 2019. Sadly, later that month, he and his national team lost against Denmark in his debut.

photo 4/27 © Alex Livesey - Danehouse @Getty Images

Harvey's father was a legend defender

Harvey's father was a legend defender

At the moment, Harvey is playing as a right-back for MLS Next Pro club Inter Miami II, the reserve side of Inter Miami CF. Interestingly, his famous father, who used to be a top defender in EPL, is currently managing the latter. At age 20, there's still plenty of room for growth for Harvey given his father's instructions.

photo 5/27 © John Peters

Maxin Gullit

Maxin Gullit

Born on 20 May 2001, Maxim Gullit is a professional footballer who serves as a defender for Cambuur. His father is retired Netherlands international Ruud Gullit. In the 71st minute of Jong AZ's 0-0 draw with FC Twente, Gullit made his debut after spending five years as a youth player with Amsterdamsche FC from 2005 to 2017.

photo 6/27 © MB Media

His father is a national legend

His father is a national legend

He was then transferred to the AZ Alkmaar academy before he earned his senior squad debut in the final minute of a 4-1 Europa League victory over Rijeka. After failing to break into the first squad, the 21-year-old player went to newly promoted Cambuur last summer, making only five appearances. It looks like Maxim still has a long way to go before he could reach his father Ruud's superstardom. Back in his prime, Ruud was regarded as one of the greatest players in the world, with impressive versatility, strength, and intelligence.

photo 7/27 © Bongarts

Khephren Thuram

Khephren Thuram

Born on 26 March 2001, Khephren Thuram is a professional footballer, whose father is former French international footballer Lilian Thuram. The football legend's son is a defensive midfielder by trade, although he can also play at the back if necessary.

photo 8/27 © Jonathan Moscrop

His father is superstar Lilian Thuram

His father is superstar Lilian Thuram

Khephren made his official debut for Monaco at the age of 17 before moving to Nice and scored his first professional goal to help his team defeat Nantes at home by the same score. The teenager has already established himself as a crucial player for the Ligue 1 club, having appeared in 63 games across all competitions over the last three seasons. This season, he has played 9 league games, scoring 1 assist, a feat that will make Lilian Thuram proud.

photo 9/27 © Xavier Lane

Justin Kluivert

Justin Kluivert

Born on 5 May 1999, Justin Kluivert is a talented footballer who is on loan from Serie A club Roma to La Liga club Valencia. He also plays for the Dutch national team. Patrick Kluivert's son made his Ajax debut in January 2017 and soon became a fan favorite.

photo 10/27 © Chris Ricco

Justin's father was Patrick Kluivert

Justin's father was Patrick Kluivert

A year later, he made his international debut for Holland before joining Roma in the summer of 2018. Last season, Kluivert was on loan at Nice, where he has five goals in 29 appearances. Although he is only 24 years old, he has received the individual title of AFC Ajax Talent of the Future at the Sjaak Swart Award. This season has so far been a disappoint to Justin and his father Patrick, as the Valencia player has only played 3 league games, scoring none.

photo 11/27 © Martin Rose/Bongarts

Isaac Drogba

Isaac Drogba

Born on 15 December 2001, Isaac Drogba, son of former Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Didier, is an attacker currently playing for Portuguese minnows, Coimbra B. He made his professional debut for Italian fourth division team Caratese the season before in a 4-1 win against Saluzzo.

photo 12/27 © Visual China Group @gettyimages

Isaac's father is Didier Drogba

Isaac's father is Didier Drogba

Isaac Drogba will be looking to follow his father Didier's path as he tries to carve a career for himself in the Italian fourth division, netting his first goal as a professional for Folgore Caratese.

photo 13/27 © Ian MacNicol

Charlie Savage

Charlie Savage

Charlie Savage, born on 2 May 2003, is a Welsh proficient footballer who goes to the field as a midfielder for Manchester United. He is the son of former Welsh international player Robbie Savage and has represented Wales at several youth international levels. Charlie is presently making an impression in Manchester United's academy as a 19-year-old. In April 2021, he committed to Manchester United in his first professional deal.

photo 14/27 © John Peters

Charlie's father is Robbie Savage

Charlie's father is Robbie Savage

Charlie was first listed in a Premier League matchday squad on May 22, 2022, when he faced Crystal Palace. The talented football player is now a regular for United's Under-23s. Given his place in the youth team and Man United's first-team performance, it is likely the son of Robbie Savage will soon earn his first first-team cap.

photo 15/27 © Shaun Botteril

Theo Zidane

Theo Zidane

Born on 18 May 2002, Theo Zidane is a youth international for France as a professional midfielder who plays for Real Madrid Castilla. Big things are expected of the son of Zinedine Zidane, who is a French professional football manager and former player.

photo 16/27 © Diego Souto/Quality Sport Images

Theo's father is French legend Zinedine Zidane

Theo's father is French legend Zinedine Zidane

Theo got promoted to the first team after appearing frequently in Segunda Division B, and was then transferred to the Real Madrid junior system in 2010 and made his Real Madrid B debut 10 years later. When his father was the club's manager in February 2021, he began working out with Real Madrid's first squad. At age 20, Theo is honing his skills at Real Madrid Castilla with a view to rising through the ranks and earning a place in the first team.

photo 17/27 © Christian Liewig

Romeo Beckham

Romeo Beckham

The young Romeo Beckham plays as a forward for Brentford B, on loan from Inter Miami II. The English professional footballer was born in 2002; he is the second-born child of former England international captain David Beckham. Romeo Beckham has the ambition to emulate the successes of his father and hopes to join one of the most successful football clubs.

photo 18/27 © MB Media

He is David Beckham’s son

He is David Beckham’s son

Romeo Beckham’s father is one of the greatest footballers of all time who spent over a decade at Manchester United. He was a former England captain who won six Premier League titles and multiple awards for his achievements. Today, the icon footballer is co-owner of Inter Miami CF where his son Romeo Beckhamplays as a forward.

photo 19/27 © Matthew Peters

Jordan Larsson

Jordan Larsson

The Swedish professional footballer Jordan Larsson plays as a forward for Copenhagen Danish club on loan from the German club Schalke 04. Jordan Larsson who was born on 20 June 1997 is the son of former professional footballer Henrik Larsson. The young Larsson began his senior career in the Swedish Football Division 2 before being called to join Helsingborgs IF in 2014.

photo 20/27 © Marcus Ericsson

He’s Henrik Larsson’s son

He’s Henrik Larsson’s son

Larssonsenior spent his career in the Swedish national football team and other biggest clubs. He is regarded as one of the greatest Swedish players of all time, winning many awards. Henrik Larsson is currently a Swedish professional football coach after spending a few years as an assistant manager of Barcelona FC.

photo 21/27 © Martin Rose

Daniel Maldini

Daniel Maldini

The attacking midfielder Daniel Maldini, 21, is a son of an Italian former professional footballer and captain of AC Milan, Paolo Maldini. The young Maldini joined Milan's youth system as a youngster in 2010. Then, he currently has a profitable loan spell for Serie A club Spezia from AC Milan.

photo 22/27 © Nicolò Campo

He’s Paolo Maldini’s son

He’s Paolo Maldini’s son

As for Paolo Maldini, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all time who spent all 25 seasons of his successful career in the Serie A with Milan. Mainly known by his nickname "Il Capitano" or "The Captain", Paolo Maldini remains an unforgettable name in the AC Milan and Italy captain.

photo 23/27 © Sandra Behne

Kasper Schmeichel

Kasper Schmeichel

The son of the former Danish former goalkeeper, PeterSchmeichel, was born on 5 November 1986. Schmeichel junior began his football professional career in the Estoril youth academy, then he joined Manchester City on a long-term contract in 2002. Like his father, he is one of the best goalkeepers who currently plays for the Denmark national team.

photo 24/27 © Visionhaus

He's Peter Schmeichel son

He's Peter Schmeichel son

Kasper’s father, Peter Schmeichel is best remembered as an icon goalkeeper who spent several years of his career at Manchester United. Peter Schmeichelwas awarded as the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper in 1992 and 1993. He also ranked among the top 10 goalkeepers of the 20th century.

photo 25/27 © Mirrorpix

Timothy Weah

Timothy Weah

Born on February 22, 2000, Timothy Weah made his professional debut for Paris Saint-Germain in 2018. He is the son of former professional footballer and Ballon d'Or winner, George Weah. After leaving Paris Saint-Germain, Timothy Weah plays as a winger for the United States national team as well as for Ligue 1 club Lille

photo 26/27 © ANP

George Weah

George Weah

Timothy’s father, George Weah was a football legend born on October 1, 1966. In 1995, he was voted African, European, and World Player of the Year for his incredible talent. After his retirement, George Weah turned on politics and has served as president of Liberia since January 2018.

photo 27/27 © Christian Liewig - Corbis

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