Welcome back. If you missed Part 1 of this 3 part series, fear not. Here it is
In this piece, we'll look at 4 father and son[s] combinations. The difference though is the youth of the sons and their challenges ahead and maybe also what they've contributed to football thus far. We'll also go down memory lane to remember the impact their fathers' had on The Beautiful Game.
Let's be off then.
Jordan, Andre and Abedi 'Pele' AYEW
You got to be having something special if your nickname is 'Pele'...and Abedi Ayew had just that. Another one of Africa's finest exports, he made his mark in France with Olympique Marseille scooping the Ligue 1 and UEFA Champions League titles with them. Besides that, he is still regarded as Ghana's finest player, with his goalscoring exploits taking them to victory in the '82 AFCON Tournament.
He has three sons currently playing for clubs around Europe [Abdul Rahim not pictured here]. Of the three, Andre 'Dede' has made the biggest strides. You'd recall his contributions to Ghana's U20 African Youth Championship and U20 FIFA World Cup triumphs in '09. Further to this he was rather involved at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which is where i think most of us got to learn more about him as a tricky winger capable of playing in a three-pronged attack [as well]. This season, most notably, was his 93min winning goal against Inter in the Last 16 of the UEFA Champions League. On the whole though, he has enjoyed a fantastic season at Marseille, form which prompted a contract extension to 2015.
As for Abdul Rahim [currently at Lierske SK] and Jordan [also at Marseille], neither's star has shone brightly. Jordan, though, is still only 20years old and is highly spoken of by Andre.
Thiago Alcântara, Mazinho and Rafael Alcântara DO NASCIMENTO
Remember the 'three men and a baby' celebration at FIFA World Cup '94? Yep, that's Mazinho [with Romario and Bebeto]. Club spells at Vasco Da Gama [the Brasileiro outfit] and Celta Vigo coupled with his contributions to A Seleção in their '89 COPA America and '94 FWC victories are what we'll remember him for. Now onto Thiago. Born in Italy to a Brazilian father and now plying his trade in Spain's La Liga. Quite the mix eh. Now 21 and having just recently signed a new deal with FCB [with a massive buyout clause], the skillful midfielder seems to be getting reasonable game time if you consider who he's up against for a place in the side. After seeing him for the reserves, I again noted his exceptional ability at the European U21 Championships last year...a tournament in which he and Javi Martinez bossed the midfield for Spain. They'd go on to win this tournament. Thiago rightfully received the player of the tournament award.
There's also Rafa or Rafinha as he's known. He was born in Brazil, but has also represented Spain at youth level. Still with the B side of the Catalan giants, but has this season made his senior debut in the Copa Del Rey. It's going to be interesting to see how both siblings get on at Barca. I can certainly see a bright future for [at least] Thiago ahead.
There's also Rafa or Rafinha as he's known. He was born in Brazil, but has also represented Spain at youth level. Still with the B side of the Catalan giants, but has this season made his senior debut in the Copa Del Rey. It's going to be interesting to see how both siblings get on at Barca. I can certainly see a bright future for [at least] Thiago ahead.
Peter and Kasper SCHMEICHEL
How do you measure up to your dad, who is arguably the finest goalkeeper of our generation? You don't. You just get on with your game and grab as much insight from him as possible. The Great Dane has pretty much done it all for club and country [barring the FWC], see this piece for extensive coverage of his work in goal. Kasper hasn't had it all his own way. I thought he was quite unfortunate at City and then made a dud move to Notts County followed by a poor showing while at Leeds. He now finds himself at Leicester and has regained confidence and has done rather well in goal there, starting 44games this season. Kasper turns 26 in November, so is still relatively young, especially in 'keeper years' and could still realise a move to a top club. I strongly doubt he'll ever reach the heights [see what I did there] of his father, but reckon there's a bright future ahead, despite earlier setbacks.
How do you measure up to your dad, who is arguably the finest goalkeeper of our generation? You don't. You just get on with your game and grab as much insight from him as possible. The Great Dane has pretty much done it all for club and country [barring the FWC], see this piece for extensive coverage of his work in goal. Kasper hasn't had it all his own way. I thought he was quite unfortunate at City and then made a dud move to Notts County followed by a poor showing while at Leeds. He now finds himself at Leicester and has regained confidence and has done rather well in goal there, starting 44games this season. Kasper turns 26 in November, so is still relatively young, especially in 'keeper years' and could still realise a move to a top club. I strongly doubt he'll ever reach the heights [see what I did there] of his father, but reckon there's a bright future ahead, despite earlier setbacks.
Zinedine and Enzo ZIDANE
So, not only are you the son of the famous 'Zizou' you've also been named after a Uruguayan legend [Enzo Francescoli]. No pressure! We can list the individual contributions of Zinedine as well as his achievements for club and country [see this article for further proof] and scoff at the likelihood of his son ever coming close, but that would be wrong. Still only 17years of age and already the Jose Mourinho has invited him to train with the Real Madrid FC first side. Must say something for the potential he posseses eh. Early doors and certainly a youngster we should keep an eye on. Who knows...the Marseille Roulette could make a surprise re-appearance.
Youngsters. Already facing the pressure of the media, based on what has gone before. I'm thankful we get to see another generation, carrying the name of former greats.
I'm sure these lads have known football from the moment they opened their eyes. Now they have the opportunity to display their talents and some of them may even go on to be great themselves.
As much as football is a team sport, it's the individuals [names] that we remember.
Thanks for joining me again.
Part 3...coming soon!
So, not only are you the son of the famous 'Zizou' you've also been named after a Uruguayan legend [Enzo Francescoli]. No pressure! We can list the individual contributions of Zinedine as well as his achievements for club and country [see this article for further proof] and scoff at the likelihood of his son ever coming close, but that would be wrong. Still only 17years of age and already the Jose Mourinho has invited him to train with the Real Madrid FC first side. Must say something for the potential he posseses eh. Early doors and certainly a youngster we should keep an eye on. Who knows...the Marseille Roulette could make a surprise re-appearance.
Youngsters. Already facing the pressure of the media, based on what has gone before. I'm thankful we get to see another generation, carrying the name of former greats.
I'm sure these lads have known football from the moment they opened their eyes. Now they have the opportunity to display their talents and some of them may even go on to be great themselves.
As much as football is a team sport, it's the individuals [names] that we remember.
Thanks for joining me again.
Part 3...coming soon!
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