Maybe, you’ve noticed that football runs along family lineage. I don’t know if it’s hereditary or perhaps a family tradition handed down from one generation to another. There is lot of examples to sight from, but if you haven’t noticed the trend, I may as well show you some of the popular ones. Let us look at six notable families where father and sons enjoyed tremendous football fame and success.
1. The Maldinis:
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| Cesare Naldini and Son Paolo |
Cesare Maldini recorded 400 appearances for AC Milan from 1954 – 66 and earned 25 caps for Italy from 1962 – 68.
His son, Paolo Maldini recorded 900 club appearances for AC Milan and 126 caps for Italy.
Both father and son captained Milan to champions’ league title - Cesare in 1963 and Paolo in 2003. Father Cesare also coached Italy, while the son Paolo was captain of the team.
2. The Ayews
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| Abedi Pele And Sons |
Abedi Ayew, better known as Abedi Pele, is indeed the greatest player in Ghanaian history today. He captained Ghana national team for six yers and scored 33 goals for his country. He was a vital part of Marselle’s success in 80s and 90s’.
His sons, Andre and Jordan Ayew are now both players of Marselle. One of the brothers, Ibrahim also plays for a Belgian Club, Lierse. They have all featured in Ghana national team at the senior level.
3. The Forlans:
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| Diego Forlan And Father |
Pablo Forlan was a defender and featured 17 times for Uruguay from 1966 – 76.
But his son, Diego Forlan was more successful in his career as an attacker. He played for great clubs like: Manchester united, Athletico Madrid, Inter Milan and Villareal. He earned 70 caps for Uruguay and scored 32 goals for his country. He also won the golden ball at 2010 World cup.
4. The Koemans:
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| Erwin and Ronald Koeman |
Martin Koeman had a respectable career and earned a cap in the Dutch national squad. But his sons, Ronald and Erwin had a more distinctive football career.
Ronald starred for Barcelona from 1989 – 95 and for his country for over a decade. He had a unique record of scoring more goals than any defender in football history; He scored 200 career goals, most of them from free kicks and long range shots, of which he was a master.
Erwin, the elder brother, was a midfielder and starred for FC Groningen and PSV. He featured 31 times for his country.
Ronald and Erwin were in the Dutch squad that won Euro 1998. Like father, Both Ronald and Erwin went into football management with Feyernoord and Hungarian national team after they retired from playing active football.
5. The Djorkaeffs:
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| Father Jean and Son Youri Dlorkaeff |
Father Jean Djorkaeff had a long career as a defender. He played for Lyon, Marseille and PSG from 1950 to 1975. He earned 48 caps for France national team.
His son, Youri Djorkaeff was a more reputable attacker. He starred for AS Monaco, PSG and Inter Milan. He earned 82 caps for France from 1993 – 2005.
6. The Wrights:
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| Ian Wright and Son Shaun Wright-Philips |
Ian Wright was a great striker at Crystal Palace and Arsenal in the 90s’. He scored 300 career goals and earned 33 caps for England.
His adopted son, Shaun Wright-Philips has starred for Manchester City, Chelsea and now QPR. He has already earned 36 caps for England.
Another of Ian Wright sons, Bradley Wright-Philips, also starred for Manchester city and now a star striker for a league one side, Charlton.
