Tuesday evening was supposed to be another step forward for Robin van Persie in his new life as Feyenoord manager.
Instead, it turned into one of the most emotionally draining nights of his career.
Watching from the touchline, the former Arsenal and Manchester United star saw his teenage son suffer what looks to be a serious injury during Feyenoord’s Europa League clash with Real Betis.
From Proud Manager to Worried Father in Seconds
Van Persie has been in charge of Feyenoord since the summer and has played a key role in guiding his son Shaqueel into the first team at just 19.
Only days earlier, the teenager had been making headlines for scoring his first senior goals — finishes that carried more than a hint of his father’s trademark elegance.
But football can turn cruel quickly. One awkward landing after a high challenge changed the mood instantly.
The Moment Everything Stopped
Shaqueel went down clutching his knee, clearly in pain.
Club physios rushed on, and within moments it was clear this wasn’t a minor knock.
The decision was made to bring on a stretcher, and the young forward was carried off the pitch as the stadium fell quiet.
For Robin van Persie, the professional façade cracked.
This was no longer just another player injured under his watch.
Dad Before Manager on the Touchline
Before Shaqueel was taken down the tunnel, Van Persie asked for the stretcher to be placed near the touchline.
He knelt beside his son, resting a hand on his shoulder and speaking softly to him as medics hovered nearby.
It was a raw, human moment — a father trying to offer comfort in the middle of a European night, cameras rolling and the game still unfolding around them.
Van Persie’s Honest and Emotional Admission
After the match, Van Persie didn’t try to hide how hard the moment had hit him.
His words suggested the early signs were worrying.
“It’s not looking good,” he admitted.
“Tests will tell us more, but the first signals aren’t positive.
You always fear the worst when a player goes down like that.
When it’s your own son, it’s heartbreaking.”
He made it clear he was torn between two roles.
“I’m a coach, but I’m also his father. This is terrible. It’s both at once.”
What He Said to Shaqueel
Asked about what he told his son on the pitch, Van Persie kept it simple and deeply personal.
He said he asked how Shaqueel was feeling and put his arm around him.
“That’s all you can really do,” he explained.
“As a coach, and as a father in this situation, you want to give warmth and let him feel we’re there for him.”
A Promising Cameo Cut Short
The injury came cruelly soon after Shaqueel had entered the match.
He had been on the pitch for barely 10 minutes when he delivered an assist for Casper Tengstedt, giving Feyenoord a brief spark after Real Betis had built a two-goal advantage.
It should have been a positive cameo, another building block in a breakthrough season. Instead, it ended in tears.
Feyenoord’s European Hopes Fade
Feyenoord were unable to mount a full comeback, and the defeat effectively ended any slim hopes of salvaging Europa League qualification through a play-off route.
But the result felt secondary by full-time.
The focus had shifted entirely to the well-being of a 19-year-old whose rise had been gathering momentum — and to a father who, for once, wasn’t thinking about tactics or results.
Football’s Harshest Reminder
The night served as a stark reminder that football, for all its glory, can be unforgiving.
For Robin van Persie, it was a moment where medals, goals, and managerial ambitions faded away, replaced by the simple fear every parent understands — watching their child hurt and hoping the damage isn’t as bad as it first appears.
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