The Brazil World Cup will start in 19 days, and the 32 participants are intensely preparing for the World Cup. Each player is intensely training, and most players claim that their main motivation comes from their family members. Even though there are no cases in which fathers and sons played together in a World Cup match, there are some cases where fathers and sons played together in matches, or became excellent soccer players.
One famous case is in our own country. Bum-Kun Cha is considered as the greatest Asian player and striker in the world even after his retirement. He was given many awards by numerous organizations. One award includes Asia’s Player of the Century by IFFSH. He played in the German league and scored 176 goals in 493 matches in his career. In Germany, most people have positive thoughts about Cha Bum-Kun, and some even recognize him as a hero. Even famous soccer players who are considered legends by many people have complemented about him. After Cha Bum-Kun retired, his son, Cha Du-Ri, started playing in the German Bundesliga. He didn’t manage to be a world-class player, but he became known as an okay right back. He had recently moved to FC Seoul. However, why is Cha Du-Ri better known than Bum-Kun in Korea, a German legend? This is because not many people knew about Bum-Kun. Korea, at Cha’s career, lacked the technology to broadcast Cha’s matches, and except a few avid soccer fans, no one had the method to hear the latest news. So, even though people wanted to hear Cha’s news, they lacked the technology to do it. As a result, many people don’t realize why is Bum-Kun considered as a legend.
Another father-son legend case would be the world legend, Johan Cruyff. The name Johan Cruyff needs no introduction in football. Many people consider Cruyff to be the Dutch master of football and as one of the world legend. He won the Ballon d’Or, which is an award given to the best player of the world by votes of other players and coaches, three times. Unfortunately, he didn’t win any World Cup but had success throughout the rest of his career. He ended up playing 710 matches and managed to score 401 goals throughout his career. His son Jordi Cruyff isn’t as famous as his father, Johan Cruyff. However, unlike sons of most famous footballers, Jordi had a fairly successful professional career. Most sons of famous soccer players end up having different jobs or unsuccessful football careers. Compared to other players, Jordi Cruyff had a fairly successful career, but not enough to emulate his father.
There are even some father-and son legends that are currently playing. Frank Lampard Senior was a famous left back for West Ham United and had played 18 years only for West Ham. His son, Frank Lampard Junior, played at West Ham as midfielder when he was young, but he moved to Chelsea after a few years. After his move to Chelsea, he has won numerous titles and accolades. While Frank Lampard Sr. was known for his tight markings and defending skills and a West Ham legend, Frank Lampard Jr. is known for his intelligent plays and goals and a legendary Chelsea midfielder. The son has a better reputation than his father.
Arnor and Eidur Gudjohnsen is probably the most interesting father-son combination ever because they played in the same international match as teammates. Eidur, the son, replaced Arnor, the father, at Iceland’s 3-0 friendly win over Estonia in 1996. This was the first time that a father and son played at the same match. An interesting thing was that they played the same position: striker. They were both successful players, but Eidur managed to overcome his father. Eidur won league titles at Bolton and Chelsea, and also won the Champions Cup at Barcelona. Arnor was also a good striker, but his son, Eidur, was better than him. So, many people now don’t know that Arnor played striker. Also, he is presently the agent of his son.