Father’s Day Special : Famous Father-Son Duos in Football

It’s a cliché in the English language – “Like Father like Son.”

Well this has been true in football over the generations.

Wishing you very Happy Father’s Day, Essentially Sports brings you some of the best Father-Son duos in football over the years.

1. Cesare Maldini – Paolo Maldini

The ‘First Family’ of Italian football had been a stuff of legends since the 1960s. Dad Cesare Maldini played for Italy in 1962 and 1966 World Cups and then later managed the team where he ordered his son Paolo to Captain the Azzurris in France ’98. To cap the fairy tale story, son Paolo Maldini won the European Cup for AC Milan in 2003, exactly 40 years after his father Maldini Sr. won it for the same team. Both are AC Milan legends. The third generation of footballers is in line as well, as Paolo’s son, Christian is making waves in Milan’s youth team. A true footballing dynasty.

2. Johann Cruyff – Jordi Cruyff

The Dutch master needs no introduction in football. Arguably, Netherland’s best player ever and also the best player in football history, not to lift the World Cup, Cruyff was instrumental in Dutch philosophy of “Total Football” that revolutionized the game in the 70s and 80s. He garnered immense success at the club level, however, winning many trophies for Barcelona, Ajax and Feyenoord.

His son Jordi was named after Saint Jordi, patron saint of Catalonia. Unlike sons of most famous footballers, Jordi had a fairly successful professional career. The attacking midfielder had spells at both Barcelona and Man United.  In 1996 he made a move for Sir Alex Ferguson’s swashbuckling Manchester United side. But injuries hampered his stay at Old Trafford and also to some extent damaged his career. In 2010, Cruyff announced his retirement from professional football and joined AEK Larnaca as Director of Football. Presently, he acts as the Sports Director of football club Maccabi Tel Aviv.

3. Pablo Forlan – Diego Forlan

Pablo Forlan was a celebrated figure in Uruguay as he made a World Cup appearance for La Celeste in 1966 and 1974. He won the Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup with his home club Penarol.

His son, Diego Forlan played for Manchester United, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid where he is a legend. Forlán scored in Atlético’s 2010 Europa League final victory against Fulham. He is a two-time winner of both the Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Shoe, and also received the Golden Ball as the best player at the 2010 World Cup. He was also the former leading scorer for the Uruguayan national team only to be dethroned by Luis Suárez. Presently, he plies his trade in Japan for Cerezo Osaka as a forward.

P.S. – Diego Forlan’s maternal grandfather, Juan Carlos Corazzo, played for the Argentinian side Independiente.

4. Arnor Gudjohnsen – Eidur Gudjohnsen

This is probably the most interesting father-son combination in this list simply because they were involved in the same international match as teammates. Son Eidur replaced father Arnor during Iceland’s 3-0 friendly win over Estonia in 1996.

Eidur is the more famous of the two as he played in the Premier League for Bolton and Chelsea and then won the Champions League with Barcelona. Therefore many wouldn’t know that Arnor also used to be a striker and won over seventy caps for Iceland.

5. Carles Busquets – Sergio Busquets

Carles Busquets was a goalkeeper for Barcelona during the 90’s. Though he was second choice to the legendary Andoni Zubizarreta, he did play in the 1991 Cup Winners Cup final against Man United which Barcelona lost 1-2. He was part of Johan Cruyff’s Barcelona side nicknamed ‘The Dream Team’ that won the European Cup in 92.

Son Sergio has also developed at the Barcelona academy and got promoted to the senior squad in the 2008-09 season. Suspensions to a few key players gave Sergio the chance to start in the 2009 Champions League Final against Man United and emulate his father by grabbing a winners medal.  Since then, he has won the treble twice with Barcelona and also has a World Cup and a European Championship in his honours section.

6. Miguel Alonso – Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso is widely regarded as one of the best deep lying midfielders in the world. But he too is a second generation footballer as his father was also a midfielder who played for Real Sociedad and Barcelona in 70’s and 80’s winning two Primera Division titles with Real Sociedad. He represented Spain at 1982 World Cup in Mexico.

Xabi, we all know is more decorated of two as he has had a dream career playing for Spain and at Liverpool, Real Madrid and now Bayern Munich, winning 2 Euro Cups and 1 World Cup for Spain as well as winning 2 Champions League trophies, 1 each with Liverpool and Real Madrid.

7. Frank Lampard Sr. – Frank Lampard Jr.

Frank Sr was a West Ham legend as he made over 500 appearances in an 18 year career for the Hammers. The legendary left-back lifted two FA cups with them during his stay. He was assistant manager with his brother-in-law Harry Redknapp’s (who also features in this list) time at Upton Park in 1994 when Frank junior began his professional career at Upton Park.

Unlike his father, Frank junior is reputed for his intelligent play and goals from midfield and without any doubt has been the more successful of the two at both club and international level. He is also the highest goal scoring Premier League mid-fielder and a legend at Chelsea.

8. Radamel Garcia – Radamel Falcao

The Radamels are a tale of lore as they are one of the best footballers of their generations in Colombia. Radamel Sr was a defender who played mainly in South America.

Falcao is a household name in world as he has left a mark everywhere he has been. He is known notably for his stint with FC Porto, Atletico Madrid and Manchester United.

9. Peter Schmeichel – Kasper Schmeichel

Peter Bolesław Schmeichel is a Danish goalkeeper, fondly known as “The Great Dane” in Manchester United folklore for his intimidating 6ft 3in physique. He was voted the “World’s Best Goalkeeper” in 1992 and 1993 and is best remembered for his most successful years at English club Manchester United, whom he captained to the 1999 UEFA Champions League to complete the Treble, and for winning UEFA Euro 1992 with Denmark.

His son, Kasper Schmeichel, is a Manchester City product and currently plays for Leicester City in the Premier League and also for Danish national football team.

10. Miguel Reina – Pepe Reina

A classic case of “Like father like son”. Both the Reinas were top goalkeepers of their time.

Miguel Reina was a former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid goalkeeper, who was also capped at international level for Spain. Miguel was in the Atletico team which reached the 1974 European Cup final against Bayern Munich. The original game ended 1-1 after extra time but the replay was easily won by Bayern.

Pepe Reina like his father also played for Barcelona before joining Villarreal. He then played for Liverpool from 2005-2014 making a total of 285 appearances for the Merseyside reds. Reina is well known for his distribution, and ability to save penalties. He has set a number of goalkeeping records for Liverpool and won the Premier League Golden Glove award for clean sheets in his first three seasons at the club. Presently, he is a second choice keeper for Bayern Munich behind Manuel Neuer.

11. Harry Redknapp – Jamie Redknapp

Harry Redknapp was a midfielder during his playing days having long stints at West Ham United and Bournemouth. However the former Tottenham and QPR boss is recognized as the one of the most experienced managers in English football famously guiding Spurs to the Champions League for the first time at the conclusion of 2009-10 season. His only major honour as a player or manager, however, was the 2008 FA Cup with Portsmouth.

Son Jamie like his father was also a midfielder but had a much more eventful playing career than Harry. He played under his father at Bournemouth and Southampton. The former Liverpool man also won a few caps for England at both senior and under-21 level.

Essentially Sports wishes you all a Happy Father’s Day!