Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
Shaqueel Van Persie, the 19-year-old forward and son of former football star Robin Van Persie, has made his professional debut for Dutch club Feyenoord. Shaqueel signed his first professional contract with the club in 2022 and was recently called up to the first-team squad for the Eredivisie. He was an unused substitute in the match against NEC Nijmegen, which Feyenoord lost, but his moment came shortly after in a senior competition.
Shaqueel’s first appearance for the senior side came in a match against Celtic, when he replaced defender Jordan Lotomba in the 81st minute. At that time, Feyenoord was trailing by two goals. Despite his brief time on the pitch, the debut was a milestone for the young forward, marking the transition from youth and reserve teams to the senior level.
Robin Van Persie, who coached Feyenoord and is also Shaqueel’s father, explained that his decision to bring his son on was professional. “I made that call as a coach, not as a dad because we needed a goal,” he said. The coach highlighted Shaqueel’s ability to score from different angles and his potential to make an impact in the game. “Shaqueel is a player who can score a goal from all angles. That was the reason I brought him on.”
Unfortunately, the substitution did not change the match outcome. Just a minute after Shaqueel entered, Feyenoord conceded a third goal, with Benjamin Nygren scoring for Celtic, sealing the victory. Despite the result, Robin Van Persie emphasized the importance of the moment for his son and for the team’s future. “From a father’s point of view, when your son makes his debut that is always a special moment. But I wasn’t that busy with enjoying that moment, I was doing my work like Shaqueel was,” he said.
Shaqueel’s debut reflects Feyenoord’s confidence in his abilities and potential as a forward in Dutch football. Having been trained under his father’s guidance and Feyenoord’s youth system, he is expected to develop further and contribute to the team in upcoming matches. Robin Van Persie stressed that the focus remains on performance and growth rather than personal pride.
Feyenoord now prepares for their next Eredivisie match against SC Telstar on Sunday. Shaqueel is likely to get more opportunities as the season progresses, and the club hopes to integrate him fully into the first-team squad. Fans and analysts are watching closely to see how the young forward adapts to top-level football.
Shaqueel Van Persie’s senior debut is a key step in both his career and Feyenoord’s strategy to nurture young talent. While the match against Celtic ended in defeat, the experience offers valuable lessons for the 19-year-old. With the guidance of his father and the coaching staff, Shaqueel is expected to make a significant impact in upcoming games and possibly follow in the footsteps of his famous father.
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