Feyenoord’s Shaqueel Van Persie Suffers Severe Injury in Match Against Betis

omidbasir- What began as a tactical gamble turned into a heartbreaking situation for Feyenoord on Thursday night. In a bid to turn around the match against Real Betis, coach Robin Van Persie made the decision to substitute in his 19-year-old son, Shaqueel, for the underperforming striker Cyle Larin in the 73rd minute. Unfortunately, the young forward’s appearance was cut short by a serious injury just eight minutes later.

The atmosphere at the Estadio Benito Villamarín shifted dramatically from a hostile environment to a hushed silence when Shaqueel collapsed following an aerial challenge. He landed awkwardly, resulting in his knee buckling under the pressure of the impact. It quickly became clear that the injury was severe; Shaqueel signaled to the bench for assistance, unable to bear weight on his leg.

As medical personnel rushed onto the field, the gravity of the situation resonated throughout the stadium. In a display of sportsmanship, Real Betis winger Antony, formerly of Feyenoord’s rivals Ajax, approached the stretcher to offer a comforting gesture to the young striker. Shaqueel was escorted off the pitch to a standing ovation from the home crowd, a respectful tribute that did little to alleviate the somber mood among the Dutch team.

Having already utilized all five substitution windows, Feyenoord was compelled to finish the match with just 10 players, deepening their woes on this difficult evening in Spain.

After the final whistle, Coach Van Persie struggled to contain his emotions. The former Arsenal and Manchester United star found himself in the agonizing position of managing a professional game while witnessing his son endure what could be a career-altering injury just a few yards away.

As Shaqueel was carried past the technical area, Robin took a moment to embrace his son, offering a reassuring arm around his shoulder before the medical team continued down the tunnel.

“It’s not looking good,” Van Persie candidly expressed to the press, his face marked with concern. “We will need tests to determine his condition, but the initial signs are troubling. You always hold your breath when a player goes down, and today that player was Shaqueel. We hope for the best, but it’s heartbreaking when early signs indicate otherwise.”

Van Persie acknowledged the challenge of balancing his professional duties with his responsibilities as a father during such a traumatic incident.

“I am a coach, but I am also his father, and this is incredibly painful,” he stated. “It’s a dual role I find difficult to navigate. It breaks my heart to see him go through this. When Shaqueel was taken off the field, all I could do was ask about his well-being and offer him that small comfort of knowing we are here for him.”

The injury has sent shockwaves through the Feyenoord squad, casting a shadow over their preparations for an important Eredivisie matchup on Sunday. Midfielder Luciano Valente articulated the collective sorrow felt within the dressing room, highlighting the emotional toll of witnessing their manager endure such a distressing situation.

“It’s incredibly painful to see him leave the field like that,” Valente remarked. “It’s also heartbreaking for the coach to experience this.”

The timing is particularly challenging for the Rotterdam club, as they prepare to face a crucial test against PSV, a match often pivotal in the Dutch title race. Entering this high-stakes ‘Topper’ with an emotionally wounded and physically depleted squad presents a substantial challenge for Van Persie’s management.

The club must now await further evaluations following the swelling of Shaqueel’s knee before definitive scans can assess the full extent of the injury. However, Van Persie’s choice of words regarding the “first signs” raises concerns over potential ligament damage, which could sideline the teenager for the remainder of the season.

Shaqueel had been brought on to inject energy into a team trailing 2-0 after Larin missed several key opportunities. Having gradually integrated into the first team under his father’s guidance, this setback is a cruel interruption in his development.

For now, the painful defeat in Seville is secondary. The primary concern at De Kuip is the health and well-being of their young striker, as both a father and a football club hold their breath for the upcoming medical verdict.