David and Brooklyn Beckham and the 10 Greatest Father-and-Son Combos in Football
After trials with Chelsea and a few other London clubs over the past few years, this week it emerged that Brooklyn Beckham—son of David—has apparently signed an academy contract with Arsenal.
The 15-year-old is by no means the first youngster to follow his old man into the beautiful game, as there have been plenty of successful father-son combos over the years. Here are 10 of the best of them...
Javier Hernandez Sr. and Javier Hernandez
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Javier Hernandez joined Mexican side Guadalajara at the age of nine, the same side his grandfather Tomas Balcazar represented in the 1950s. He scored against France in the 1954 World Cup at the age of 22, the same age Chicharito was when he did the same thing in 2010.
The on-loan Real Madrid forward gets his Chicharito ("little pea") nickname from his father Chicharo ("pea"), who was a celebrated midfielder at Tecos and who also played in Mexico's successful 1986 World Cup campaign.
Cesare and Paolo Maldini
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Cesare Maldini cemented his place in Milan history in 12 seasons with the Rossoneri, during which time he won four scudettos and the European Cup.
Nineteen years after he left the San Siro, Cesare's son Paolo broke through to the Milan first team and became even more of a legend, picking up five European Cups and seven Serie A titles. He was even managed by his father for a period in 2001.
The Maldini dynasty looks set to continue at Milan, as Paolo's sons Christian and Daniel are both a part of the youth academy.
Frank Lampard Sr. and Frank Lampard
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Frank Lampard Sr. is a West Ham legend who made more than 550 appearances for the Hammers between 1967 and 1985.
He later returned to Upton Park to be the assistant manager of his brother-in-law Harry Redknapp (whose son Jamie went on to have an excellent career in the game).
Lampard Jr. joined the Hammers' youth ranks in 1994 and gradually evolved into one of the finest midfielders of his generation, winning three league titles and the Champions League at Chelsea.
Arnor and Eidur Gudjohnsen
4 of 10Arnor Gudjohnsen was one of Iceland's most prominent strikers throughout the 1980s and 1990s, noted for his seven-year stint at Anderlecht.
Before retiring in 2001, he enjoyed a seven-year career overlap with his son Eidur, who went on to win trophies with Chelsea, PSV and Barcelona.
It was always Arnor's dream to play on the same international team as his son, but this opportunity was taken away when Eidur broke his ankle, keeping him out of the last few seasons of his father's career.
However, both Gudjohnsens did once feature in the same Iceland game, when Eidur came on as a substitute for his dad during a match against Estonia in April 1996.
Peter and Kaspar Schmeichel
5 of 10Peter Schmeichel entered goalkeeping legend in the 1990s as the infallible rock at the back of Manchester United's dominant side.
His son Kaspar made his start in the game at Manchester City—the club where his father retired—and has since played for Leeds, Notts County and current side Leicester.
Kaspar has not quite reached the heights of his father, but he remains the Foxes' first-choice shot-stopper.
Pablo and Diego Forlan
6 of 10Pablo Forlan rose to prominence in his native Uruguay in the 1960s as a defender at Penarol, where he won the Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup.
His fame was eclipsed by his son Diego, who moved to Manchester United in 2001 after impressing in his home country.
Forlan may not have enjoyed a rich vein of form in England, but he was very successful in Spain, winning the Pichichi with both Villarreal and Atletico Madrid.
Johan and Jordi Cruyff
7 of 10Evidently, the Forlans weren't the only footballing father and son to make cheesy adverts.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Johan Cruyff won the Ballon d'Or three times, won multiple trophies with Ajax and Barcelona and was a strong proponent of the Netherlands' Total Football movement.
He won the European Cup as a player and manager and also enjoyed several La Liga wins from both sides of the touchlines.
Jordi Cruyff played under his father at Barcelona before earning a move to Manchester United. It would have been impossible for him to live up to his father's reputation, but Jordi enjoyed a decent playing career before turning to management in 2009.
Periko and Xabi Alonso
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Xabi Alonso grew up in San Sebastian, where his father Periko was a respected midfielder for both Real Sociedad and San Sebastian.
Periko won two La Liga titles with Sociedad before making a move to Barcelona, where he won the league once again in 1985.
Xabi was born just before the family moved to Catalunya and started his career at Sociedad. He has since become one of the best midfielders in the world, winning two European Cups, a World Cup and two European Championships.
Xabi's brother Mikel is also a midfielder, plying his trade at Basque side Real Union.
Ian Wright and Shaun and Bradley Wright-Phillips
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Ian Wright became a Arsenal legend in the 1990s, when he scored 185 goals in 288 games—an all-time top goalscorer record that stood until Thierry Henry arrived.
Wrighty has two sons who have made their way in the professional game. His biological son Bradley Wright-Phillips has played for the likes of Manchester City and Southampton, and was the MLS top scorer for the New York Red Bulls in 2014. His adopted son Shaun is on the books at QPR, having enjoyed spells at Manchester City and Chelsea.
Finn and Michael and Brian Laudrup
10 of 10Arguably the most gifted footballers ever to share the same father, Michael and Brian both started out at their dad Finn’s former team Brondby.
Laudrup Sr. was a forward who played 19 times for Denmark but whose abilities and fame were eclipsed by his offspring.
Brian won Euro 92 with Denmark and silverware with Bayern Munich, Milan, Rangers and Chelsea. He would easily be Denmark’s greatest-ever player, if not for his older brother, considered by many to be one of the greatest players of all time.
In the early 1990s, Michael led Barcelona to five consecutive La Liga titles and a European Cup, and he was also a game-changing midfielder at Juventus and Real Madrid.
