It’s heartbreaking – Van Persie reacts after 19 year old son sustains career ending injury while playing for him (videos)

Feyenoord head coach Robin van Persie has described it as heartbreaking to watch his son suffer a serious career ending injury during the club’s 2–1 defeat to Real Betis in Thursday’s Europa League clash.

Nineteen-year-old Shaqueel van Persie, who was introduced in the 73rd minute, made an immediate impact by assisting Casper Tengstedt’s goal that briefly pulled Feyenoord level. However, his night ended in distress just ten minutes later when he landed awkwardly on his right leg. The youngster’s knee appeared to bend backwards, leaving him in visible pain as he was stretchered off the pitch.

Speaking after the match, Van Persie admitted he was deeply affected by the incident, revealing that in that moment he stood on the touchline more as a father than as a coach.

“It’s not looking good. Tests still have to determine how he’s doing, but the first signs are not positive,” Van Persie told Ziggo Sport in his post-match interview.

“You hold your heart when any player goes down with an injury. Today it happened to be Shaqueel. You always hope for the best, but when you hear the first signs that it isn’t, it’s heartbreaking.

“I’m a coach, but I’m also his father, and I find this terrible. It’s a bit of both. It’s heartbreaking that he’s going through this,” he concluded.