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Man United starlet joins Lampard and Haaland in group of players better than their dads

talksport.com, 22 July 2022, 20:00
Robbie Savage was left feeling 'so, so proud' as his son Charlie came on in Erik ten Hag's first game as Manchester United boss.

But the former Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City midfielder isn't the first father in football history to seen their offspring become better footballers than they were.

It's obviously early days for the younger Savage, but his father was happy to admit that his son had began to outshine him following his display for Man United against Liverpool.

"So so proud @charliesavage84," Savage tweeted.

"Thought you were terrific, a [Diego] Maradona turn on edge of your own box, who did you get that from, finally a Savage that can play."

The Savages are part of a whole host of father-son duos in the footballing world.

So, here's six more footballers that have gone beyond the phrase 'like father, like son'.

Thiago Alcantara

Liverpool's central midfielder has enjoyed a stellar career.

At 31, the Spaniard has won a ridiculous 26 trophies. This includes two Champions Leagues, four La Liga titles and seven Bundesliga titles.

And Thiago's footballing talent must be in his DNA, given his father was also a player.

Mazinho, whose full name is Iomar do Nascimento, played for Brazil from the late 80s to the early 90s.

He also played for the likes of Valencia and Fiorentina at club level.

However, whilst Mazinho won the Campeonato Brasileiro three times with Vasco da Gama and Palmeiras and even the World Cup with Brazil, his son Thiago has surpassed his achievements in club football.

Frank Lampard

Everton manager Lampard is best known for his time playing at West Ham, Chelsea and Manchester City.

Most notably though, the former midfielder won three Premier League titles, one Champions League, one Europa League, two League Cups, four FA Cups and two Super Cups during his time at Stamford Bridge.

He also has a famous footballing dad - one who he was named after.

His father also played for West Ham, but differed from his son as he played at left-back and went to play for Southend after he left the Hammers.

But whilst he didn't make a step up from West Ham, Lampard Sr. had a very respectable career, winning two FA Cups with the Irons in 1975 and 1980. However his son definitely pipped him to the post in accolades.

Erling Haaland

The most topical footballer's son of the moment - Alfe-Inge Haaland's son, Erling.

The 21-year-old's move to Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund has been one of the headline transfers of the summer, which tells you just how impressive of a player he is for his age.

However, whilst he's one of the most exciting players in the world right now, he has only won three trophies - the German Cup, the Austrian Bundesliga and the Austrian Cup.

But given he was the Champions League top scorer in 2020/21, and he's just moved to join the Premier League champions, he's already surpassed his dad's career landmarks.

His father, ex-Leeds and Man City right-back Alfie was forced to retire at the age of 29 following a knee injury after a clash with rival Roy Keane, but was still an impressive footballer in his prime.

Sergio Busquets

Spanish midfielder and national team captain Busquets has been at Barcelona ever since 2005 when he joined their academy as a youngster.

The 34-year-old has been along for the rollercoaster ride at the Nou Camp, with them falling from grace last season due to their ongoing financial issues.

But he was of course part of their squads that won a treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League in 2008/09 and 2014/15.

In addition to this he was part of the Spanish team that won the 2010 UEFA World Cup and 2012 UEFA European Championships.

So, Busquets' defensive abilities may well have come from his father, Carles Busquets, who was goalkeeper for Barcelona and made appearances in the Champions League.

However, while Sergio starts every game for Barca now, Carles typically found himself on the bench.

So, again, the son trumps the father here.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

It's well known that Arsenal superstar turned Barcelona bagsman Aubameyang has had an impressive career.

What's less known is that Aubameyang's dad was also a footballer.

Representing Gabon on the international stage and playing for French sides Stade Lavallois and Le Havre, Pierre-François Aubameyang played as a midfielder.

And whilst he know doubt inspired his son to take up the beautiful game, Pierre-Emerick has overtaken his dad when it comes to footballing achievements.

From being the Bundesliga's top scorer in 2016/17 and the Premier League's in 2018/19, as well as picking up trophies such as the FA Cup back in 2020, Aubameyang has a lot to show for his career.

Of course, he experienced his slump in goals towards the end of his time at the Emirates, but he soon picked that back up in Spain, scoring 11 goals since his move in January.

So he's certainly outplayed the other Pierre.

Xabi Alonso

The final father-son duo that needs a mention is former Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso and his dad, Periko Alonso.

Xabi's dad played 273 matches and netted 42 goals during ten seasons in La Liga with Barcelona and Real Sociedad, as well as representing Spain across the 1970s and 1980s.

He did also win La Liga with Barca, but contributed just two appearances to their title winning campaign.

And his son, Xabi, soon overtook his dad when it came to footballing achievements.

Retiring at the age of in 35 in 2017, Xabi had raked up a World Cup, two Champions Leagues, an FA Cup, and countless other awards.

In addition to this, Periko's other son, Mikel, also played, signing for then-Premier League Bolton Wanderers in 2007/08 and for League One for Charlton Athletic in 2011/12.

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