On Thursday evening, Feyenoord’s manager Robin van Persie offered his son a significant career milestone by granting him his first-team debut. Despite this personal highlight, the team faced a 3-1 defeat to Celtic in the Eredivisie match.

With just 10 minutes left in the Europa League clash held in the Netherlands, the former Manchester United and Arsenal star introduced his 19-year-old son, Shaqueel, into the game.

Shaqueel, who honed his skills at Manchester City’s academy, found it challenging to make a substantial impact as Feyenoord endured their fourth consecutive loss.

Explaining his decision, the 42-year-old Van Persie told TNT Sports, “I made the call as a coach, not as a dad, because we needed a goal. Shaqueel is capable of scoring from various positions, which is why I brought him on.”

Reflecting on the personal aspect, he added, “From a father’s perspective, it was a special moment. Watching your son debut is always unique. However, my focus was on my duties, just as Shaqueel focused on his task.”

Feyenoord manager Robin van Persie handed his son his first-team debut on Thursday evening against Celtic

Van Persie affirmed afterwards that his decision to bring on Shaqueel was purely a football-based one

When questioned about maintaining a professional boundary, Van Persie stated, “No, it’s not difficult at all. I see him simply as another player. We’ve had this understanding since we began working together, and Shaqueel has handled it well.”

‘I see him as a player and later on, when we’re home, of course we will have a nice moment where we’re proud of each other and, from my point of view, where I’m proud of Shaqueel because he’s worked hard – like every player who makes his debut. 

‘He deserved it and for him, a special moment.’ 

Shaqueel joined Feyenoord, where his father began his career, back in 2017 after two years in Man City’s youth setup. 

He eventually signed his first professional contract in 2022 but was only included in a competitive matchday squad for the first time on the weekend as his side slumped to a 4-2 defeat to NEC Nijmegen.  

Van Persie Sr has been eager to ensure the 19-year-old stays grounded, as evidenced by an incident a few years ago when Shaqueel was playing for Feyenoord’s Under-14s.

On the car journey home, Shaqueel had complained about his coach and teammates after spending a match on the bench. The 102-cap Netherlands international used the moment to teach his son an important lesson.

Speaking on the High Performance Podcast in 2020, Van Persie said: ‘I told him, “Shaqueel, you sound like a loser when you talk like that. You sound like you lost. You’re blaming him, blaming her, blaming this, blaming everything, but I don’t hear one single thing about yourself.

Shaqueel signed for Feyenoord in 2017 after two years in Man City’s youth setup

The 19-year-old was only named in his first competitive matchday squad in the Eredivisie on the weekend

‘”Winners take control, they blame themselves and look where they can improve. This is what you should be thinking about. Ask yourself, are you a loser, or are you a winner?

“‘It doesn’t matter to me because I’m your dad. The only job I have, and your mum has, is to get you ready for life when you’re 20.

‘“You can make your mistakes, you can do whatever you want. I love you the same amount. It doesn’t matter to me whether you make it as a footballer or not.

‘”But you say that this is your passion, so you have to take control of your life and stop complaining”.’

Van Persie said he noticed an immediate shift in Shaqueel’s attitude afterwards: ‘I saw this tiger! Training, working, running. And I thought, “Okay, he realised he has to take control of his life.”‘

Shaqueel will be hoping to make his Eredivisie debut on Sunday when Feyenoord travel to Telstar.