Watching Enzo Zidane pirouette his way through the Barcelona youth team, it’s difficult not to draw comparisons with his old man. And 5-year-old Daniel Maldini is clearly a chip off the old block as he demonstrates a perfectly timed sliding tackle on Clarence Seedorf.
However, not everyone is so lucky in the hereditary stakes. Some of the fruit of the greatest footballers’ loins have every right to feel somewhat shortchanged.
Diego Maradona Jr.
Hardly the apple of his father’s eye, Junior was only begrudgingly recognized after a DNA test. A promising start to his career in the youth ranks at Napoli saw an Italy U-17 cap, but precipitated a decline that saw him struggle to hold down a place at Serie D side Venafro and fail to impress during a trial at Clyde.
Edinho (Pele’s son)
Young Edinho followed in his father’s footsteps by turning out for Santos. However, he wasn’t the free scoring attacking genius his old man was, instead putting in a shift as the team’s reserve goalkeeper.
Later did his dad less proud by being convicted of murder (for which he was later cleared), being arrested as part of a cocaine smuggling ring, and later blaming his problems on a marijuana addiction.
Jordi Cruyff
Nepotism was largely to thank for Jordi’s fledgling career as he made 41 appearances for Barcelona whilst dad was in charge. He then somehow engineered a move to Manchester United when Johan got the chop. A decent player, to be fair, but he had a lot to live up to.
Calum Best
Calum’s party lifestyle saw him enter rehab recently to receive treatment for an addiction to cocaine fuelled orgies. What a c**t. Whilst dad George is remembered for a glittering career at Manchester United, Calum is better known for his appearance on Celebrity Love Island. What a c**t.