Famous father-son duos who played in World Cup tournaments

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) – As the followers are waiting for the 2022 FIFA World Cup to start with bated breath, they have watched many famed father-son duos for 92 years during the global football tournament.

Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, Italian legend Paolo Maldini, Dutch defender Daley Blind, Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara, and Mexican forward Javier Hernandez Balcazar – largely known as Chicharito – followed their dads' footsteps each to play in World Cup tournaments.

In addition to these players, Diego Forlan (Uruguay), Xabi Alonso (Spain), and Youri Djorkaeff (France) did the same.

Joint top scorers in the 2010 World Cup Forlan, 2010 World Cup winner Xabi Alonso and 1998 champion Djorkaeff have already retired from the game.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the Gulf nation of Qatar, is set to start on Nov. 20 and end on Dec. 18.

- Schmeichels

One of the best goalkeepers of his generation, Peter Schmeichel from Denmark is the father of Kasper Schmeichel, who is currently playing for the French club Nice.

Peter Schmeichel was the Manchester United captain and one of the big names in the Denmark squad.

He played in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, where Denmark reached the quarterfinals.

His son Kasper Schmeichel, 36, helped Denmark play in the Round of 16 in the 2018 World Cup.

- Maldinis

Paolo Maldini is an AC Milan legend and one of the big players in Italy.

His father Cesare Maldini played for the Italian national team in the 1962 World Cup, which was his sole World Cup appearance.

He died in 2016 at age 84.

Paolo Maldini, who retired from the game in 2009, amassed 126 caps for Italy and played in 1990, 1994, 1998, and 2002 World Cups.

He played the final in the USA 94 when Brazil won the world title, beating Italy on penalties.

- Danny's son Daley Blind in 2014 World Cup

Ajax's Dutch defender Daley Blind, 32, played in the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the Netherlands came third.

He spent a good tournament in Brazil, as he moved to Manchester United in 2014 fall.

Daley's dad Danny Blind was also a Dutch defender.

He was selected for the Dutch national team for the 1990 and 1994 editions of the World Cup.

- Thiago plays for Spain in 2018 dad Mazinho won title for Brazil

Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara played for the Spanish national team in the 2018 World Cup.

The 31-year-old, who was born in Italy, is a pure Barcelona product and spent his teenage years in Spain.

He has Brazilian roots with dual citizenship.

His father Mazinho Alcantara won the 1994 World Cup with Brazil.

- Chicharito's dad, grandfather played in World Cups

Mexican forward Javier Hernandez Balcazar, largely known as Chicharito, is the son of Javier Hernandez, who retired in 1999.

Chicharito's grandfather Tomas Balcazar was a Mexican player in the 1954 World Cup.

In 2020, Tomas Balcazar died at age of 88.

His dad Javier Hernandez was a Mexican midfielder in the 1986 World Cup.

Chicharito, now playing for Los Angeles Galaxy, had an illustrious club career.

The 34-year-old previously played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, West Ham United, and Sevilla during his time in Europe.

Chicharito appeared for his native Mexico in the 2010, 2014, and 2018 World Cup tournaments, and the team were eliminated in the last 16 in each tournament.

He was one of the main players, scoring 52 goals in 109 caps for Mexico.

- Forlans, Alonsos, Djorkaeffs

Diego Forlan has been one of the best players in the Uruguayan football's history.

He scored five goals in South Africa 2010 to be the joint top scorer of the tournament.

Uruguay were beaten by Germany in the 2010 World Cup's third-place playoff but the South American team were beyond the expectations in South Africa. As an individual, Diego Forlan, a former Atletico Madrid, and Villarreal forward spent a brilliant tournament as well.

His dad Pablo Forlan played for Uruguay in the 1974 World Cup. But he had fewer World Cup games than his son.

Diego Forlan had 10 World Cup appearances in 2002, 2010, and 2014 editions scoring six goals for Uruguay.

Xabi Alonso was one of the well-known players of his generation.

The former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich defensive midfielder was a Spain regular and helped his nation win the 2010 World Cup.

It was Spain's first and only World Cup success.

He appeared in 2006, 2010, and 2014 World Cup tournaments.

Xabi Alonso's father Miguel Angel Alonso played for Spain in the 1982 World Cup.

French attacking midfielder Youri Djorkaeff won the 1998 World Cup, as France were the hosts.

The 1998 triumph was France's first in history. France then won the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Youri Djorkaeff, a former Inter Milan midfielder, also played for France in the 2002 World Cup Les Bleus were eliminated in the group stage.

Youri Djorkaeff's father Jean Djorkaeff was a France right-back in the 1966 World Cup.