In a moment that underscored the enduring legacy of footballing families, Shaqueel van Persie, son of legendary Dutch striker Robin van Persie, made his senior debut for Feyenoord on Thursday, November 27, 2025. The 19-year-old forward stepped onto the pitch in the 82nd minute of Feyenoord's Europa League match against Celtic, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.

Robin van Persie, now the head coach of Feyenoord since February 2025, had the honor of handing his son his first professional minutes. Despite the team's 2-0 defeat to the Scottish side, the occasion was a memorable one for the Van Persie family. Shaqueel's debut adds another chapter to the storied connection between the Van Persie name and Feyenoord, the club where his father began his own illustrious career.

Shaqueel, born in London on November 16, 2006, while his father played for Arsenal, has been developing his skills within the Feyenoord youth system since 2017. Before joining Feyenoord, he spent time in Manchester City's youth academy. In May 2022, he signed his first professional contract with Feyenoord, a three-year deal that demonstrated the club's faith in his potential. Shaqueel has also represented the Netherlands at the U16 and U17 levels.

Earlier in the week, before the Europa League debut, Robin van Persie addressed his relationship with Shaqueel in an interview, emphasizing his professional approach. He stated that he treats Shaqueel as any other player and that Shaqueel adopted a similar mindset from the time his father coached him in the under-16s.

Feyenoord Academy, where Shaqueel honed his skills, is renowned for its youth development program. Known as Varkenoord, the academy has been recognized as one of the best in the Netherlands, winning the Rinus Michels Award five times since 2009. It has produced numerous players who have gone on to achieve international recognition, including Robin van Persie himself, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, and Stefan de Vrij. The academy focuses on holistic player development, combining football training with education.

Shaqueel's preferred position is forward, and he has also played as a striker and left winger. He stands at 186 cm (6 ft 1 in). He gained attention in 2020 for scoring a bicycle kick against Ajax at the under-15 level, earning him the club's goal of the month award.

While Shaqueel's debut is a positive moment for the Van Persie family and Feyenoord, it occurred during a challenging period for the club. Feyenoord has suffered four consecutive losses for the first time since 2015-2016.

The young Van Persie has a contract with Feyenoord until 2028. He wears jersey number 49.

Shaqueel's Europa League debut follows his earlier appearance in the UEFA Youth League. In November 2023, his father, then coaching Feyenoord's U19 team, substituted him into a match against Atletico Madrid.