Robin van Persie selects 19-year-old son he once called 'a loser' in Feyenoord matchday squad for first time

Feyenoord boss Robin van Persie included his son Shaqueel in the senior squad for the first time on Sunday.

The 19-year-old will be accompanied by fellow academy graduate Ayoub Ouargh for Sunday’s visit of NEC Nijmegen. Feyenoord manager Robin van Persie admits he once called his son 'a loser'

Both players missed Feyenoord’s Under-21 match on Saturday fueling speculation over a possible call-up to the first-team squad following a spate of injuries that have plagued the Rotterdam club.

Shaqueel, a highly-rated striker, has trained with the first team on multiple occasions and featured in friendly matches but had fallen short of being included in a matchday squad.

His selection is a momentous occasion for the Van Persie family, more so Robin who’s tough love appears to have paid off.

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