The sons following in their famous Premier League fathers' footsteps
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr is a chip off the old block, Wayne Rooney’s 13-year-old looks just as deadly as his dad in front of goal and Jamie Carragher’s boy is impressing at Wigan… the sons following in their famous Premier League fathers’ footsteps
- Cristiano Ronaldo Jr is reported to be playing two years above his age group
- Romeo Beckham is described as ‘pivotal’ member of Brentford B’s squad
- Robin van Persie’s goal scoring youngster is tearing up the Dutch youth leagues
Countless kids around the world dream of becoming a professional footballer with absolutely no connection to anything or anyone in the game.
Therefore, it’s little wonder that the offspring of ex-Premier League stars would seek to emulate the achievements of their fathers.
Some have an easier task than others – with all due respect to Frank Lampard Snr or Alfie Haaland. But spare a thought for the names on this list, who will have a mammoth job coming close to what their dad’s managed to accomplish in the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo Jnr.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s hasty exit from Manchester United last November carried wider consequences for his family and in particular, his eldest son.
The youngster had been part of the academy at Old Trafford, having started out at the Juventus academy when his old man was with the Old Lady.
Eight-months on from his father’s acrimonious Manchester divorce and Jr is taking no prisoners out in Saudi Arabia.
The 12-year-old is reportedly training with children two years his senior, according to a report by the Sun, and has impressed coaches at the state-of-the-art Mahd Academy complex.
Cristiano Ronaldo Jnr has been impressing his coaches in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr FC
Kai Rooney
Mail Sport reported just last month that the Manchester United legend’s son, Kai, was tearing it up in the United academy. Still only 13, the teenager made headlines last season by scoring 56 goals playing alongside Ronaldo’s son.
Rooney is well on his way to the big time having already secured a bumper sponsorship deal with Puma.
All that’s left now is the unenviable task of making it through one of the most competitive youth set-ups in the world.
Rooney Jnr has impressed at Manchester United and already has a boot deal with Puma
James Carragher
James Carragher, son of Liverpool legend Jamie, got his first taste of professional football this season with Oldham Athletic in the National League.
The 20-year-old spent six years at Liverpool’s academy before being let go in 2017 and signing for Wigan.
Six years on the, centre-half is yet to feature for his parent club’s senior side and suffered a knee injury that curtailed his season but the future remains bright with the contract extension he penned in January that will keep him at the DW stadium until 2025.
James Carragher was snapped up by Wigan in 2017 after being let go by Liverpool
Zach Giggs made his debut for Wales U17 in a 2-0 defeat by France in September last year
Zach Giggs
Ryan Giggs’ son, Zach, recently completed a move to newly-promoted Sheffield United following four years in the Red Devils youth set-up.
The 16-year-old enjoyed a successful trial before putting pen to paper on a deal that could see him follow in his father’s footsteps into the top-flight.
The youngster plays a little further back than his old man, primarily filling in at left-back, though he can play anywhere across the back-line.
The teenager made his youth level international debut in September last year when he featured in Wales’ Under 17s defeat by France Under 17s.
Romeo Beckham
Romeo Beckham may well be the best placed player on the list to make a top-flight appearance. The 20-year-old joined Premier League side Brentford’s B team in January, scoring his first goal in a 3-2 win against Wealdstone a month later.
Beckham’s move to west London is currently only a loan, with parent club Inter Miami ready to take back the forward this summer.
Brentford B boss Neil MacFarlane told Mail Sport he had ‘been a pivotal member of what has been a special group’ so time will tell whether or not the Bees will extend his stay.
Romeo Beckham enjoyed a loan spell with Brentford B in the second-half of last season
Jaden Heskey
Forget what was said about Beckham Jnr, Jaden Heskey is probably the best footballing son to feature yet.
The 17-year-old is cutting his teeth amongst the brightest young talents in the footballing factory that is Manchester City’s academy.
In 12 appearances for the side the centre forward bagged three goals and laid on two assists for his teammates at under-18 level. Heskey is of course the son of ex-Liverpool front man Emile, who spent four successful seasons at Anfield.
The former England international incidentally has not one but two sons in the City youth set-up as Jaden’s little brother Reigan plays up front for the Citizen’s junior squads.
Jaden Heskey scored three times in 12 games in his first season at the Man City academy
Isaac Drogba
Didier Drogba’s son Issac is one of the older names on this list having started his career in the Chelsea youth system, before moving to Guingamp in 2018.
Unfortunately for the 22-year-old things haven’t exactly gone to plan as short stints with the French outfit’s B team preceded a two-month spell with Italian lower division side Caratese.
A forward player like his dad, Issac’s last stint on the pitch came with Portuguese club Academia Coimbra last year and he has yet to emerge with a new club.
Isaac Drogba last turned out for Portuguese side Academia Coimbra in 2022
Robbie Keane Jnr.
Robbie Keane Jr could be another child of a former Premier League star set for the big leagues.
The youngster recently helped his Shamrock Rovers Under 14s side triumph in the Hale End Cup against the youth set-ups of Aston Villa, Manchester City, Tottenham, Leicester and Arsenal.
Shaqueel van Persie
Shaqueel van Persie, son of Premier League great Robin, is another kid you’d tip to make it to the top.
At only 16-years-old, the forward is showing immense promise in the Feyenoord under-17 team following a move in 2022 from Fenerbahce where his father played at the time.
Back in his native Netherlands, Van Persie has netted five times in just seven appearances in the Under-17 division this spring and has been rewarded with five caps for the Netherlands Under 17s.
Harvey Neville
Harvey Neville joined his dad Phil in Valencia from the Manchester City youth team in 2015 before spending three years back at the Manchester United youth team and then ultimately touching down in Miami last year.
With his dad at the helm of the Beckham-owned Inter Miami, Harvey has a wealth of familiar names to shepherd his footballing progress.
Like his dad, the 20-year-old is most comfortable in the fullback position, but has shown himself comfortable playing in a deep midfield role if required.
Neville currently has nine appearances for the Herons senior squad, who sit bottom of the Eastern Conference of MLS.
Harvey Neville made his senior debut last term, coming off the bench in a 3-1 Inter Miami loss
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