“Like father, like son.” The old saying is turning into reality in world football, as the heirs of global icons start making their own mark on the pitch. This week, 14-year-old Iago Silva — son of veteran defender Thiago Silva — received his first call-up to England’s U-15 national team.
Iago, who holds dual nationality, also plays as a center-back like his father and has been one of the standouts in Chelsea’s youth academy — the same club where the “Monster” himself once starred. Thiago, now back in Brazil with Fluminense, has been following his son’s rise from afar
A completely different story for another footballing legend in his forties. Cristiano Ronaldo gets to watch his son’s progress up close every day. Cristiano Jr. — or “Cristianinho” — also plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
At 15, the youngster operates as a winger, just like his father did early in his career. Last week, he received his first call-up to Portugal’s U-16 national team for a series of friendlies.
Having previously trained at Manchester United and Juventus academies while his father played there, Cristiano Jr. is widely regarded as one of Portugal’s brightest young prospects.
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“I’ll be proud of him no matter what he chooses — whether he becomes a professional footballer or pursues something else,” Cristiano Ronaldo told Portugal’s Canal 11. “But of course, I dream of playing alongside him one day. Let’s see if I can still keep up in the coming years.”
Marcelo’s son captains Spain
Former Real Madrid star Marcelo, now retired, is also seeing his legacy live on through his eldest son, Enzo Alves. Born in Madrid and part of Real’s academy since 2017, the 16-year-old forward was recently called up to Spain’s U-17 national team — a level he’s been representing since he was just 15.
Enzo even captained Spain in a 3–0 win over Andorra in the opening match of the U-17 Euro qualifiers.
Earlier this year, he signed a contract extension with Real Madrid running until 2027.
Heirs of Rooney and Ronaldinho
Another famous surname making waves is Rooney. Wayne Rooney’s 15-year-old son, Kai, has been impressing at Manchester United’s academy. Recently, he was promoted to the club’s U-19 squad after standout performances in a youth tournament in Northern Ireland, where he scored and assisted multiple times for the U-16 side.
Back in Brazil, two more familiar names are emerging. João Mendes — son of five-time World Cup winner Ronaldinho Gaúcho — has joined Hull City’s U-21s after spells at Burnley and Barcelona, where his father became a legend.
During his stint with Burnley, João Mendes made five appearances in the Premier League Cup, scoring once and providing two assists. Unlike his father, he’s left-footed and plays mostly on the wings.
Meanwhile, Davi Melo — son of former Brazil international Felipe Melo — is following a similar path. The 19-year-old midfielder plays for Fluminense, the same club as his father, and is under contract until 2026.
He was included in the senior squad earlier this year for three matches, though he remained on the bench..
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Privilege and pressure
Carrying a legendary surname can open doors, but it also brings unique challenges. The sons of former stars face enormous expectations and constant comparisons to their famous fathers. Access to elite facilities and coaches can help, but talent, hard work, and resilience remain the true keys to success.
On top of that, the media spotlight and public scrutiny follow their every step — proving that a name can help you get noticed, but it can’t guarantee a place at the top.