Is There a Nepotism Issue In Football?

Is Nepotism Holding Football Back?

In football, just like in life, the saying often rings true: "It's not what you know, it's who you know." A famous surname can open doors others spend years trying to unlock.

Would Ronaldo Jr have made it into Real Madrid’s academy without his dad’s influence? We’ll never know for sure.

What we do know is that nepotism runs deep in football, shaping opportunities on and off the pitch. Let’s look at how it works, who benefits, and what it means for the countless players chasing the same dream.

How Nepotism Shapes the Game

Nepotism simply means family connections outweigh talent. Football offers countless examples, from youth academies to management and boardrooms.

Youth Academies – Big names get their kids into elite setups early. Kai Rooney, Romeo Beckham, and Thiago Messi all landed in world-class academies long before most kids would even get a trial.

Coaching & Management – Famous managers often bring family into their coaching staff or fast-track them into jobs. Take Davide Ancelotti, son of Carlo, who became a serious candidate for the Rangers job without any managerial experience.

Backroom Roles – Nepotism goes beyond the pitch too. Families slide into roles as scouts, agents, or executives. Even Sir Alex Ferguson often placed relatives in influential positions at Manchester United.

And it doesn’t stop there. Clubs like Fulham face criticism for relying on family members in high-level roles, sparking debates about whether football decisions get clouded by family loyalty instead of merit.

Exactly the kind of business #FFC should be doing.

How long until Shahid Khan packs in the nepotism?

Having your son as DOF, despite not being focused on football, is a fast track to relegation for a #PL club.

Next summer, when Silva goes, #FulhamFC falls apart. Just Watch. https://t.co/4TOkHDREKL

— CJ (Charlie Shaw) - London’s Original (@BlancosAway) August 1, 2025

Why It Hurts Aspiring Players

For every Rooney or Beckham Jr in an academy, thousands of talented kids go unnoticed. Scouts only have so many spots to hand out, and when surnames dominate those places, ordinary youngsters lose out.

🇳🇱Mitchel Bergkamp - the son of Dennis

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿Henry Wise - the son of Dennis

🇦🇷Maurizio Pochettino - the son of Mauricio

All three started for Watford U23s today. pic.twitter.com/wHeaFcZVKb

— Football Talent Scout - Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) March 9, 2021

"Nepo-babies" enjoy elite training, private coaches, and connections others can’t dream of. Yes, talent can shine through—but meritocracy takes a hit. Kids without famous parents have to climb mountains just to reach the same starting line.

That said, having a football legend for a parent isn’t always easy. Pressure, constant comparison, and the weight of expectation come with the territory. Some crumble, but others rise above it.

When Nepo-Babies Deliver

Despite the unfair advantage, several players with famous surnames have stepped out of the shadow and carved their own path.

Erling Haaland

The son of former Premier League midfielder Alf-Inge Haaland, Erling had family connections—but it’s his drive and talent that turned him into one of the best strikers in the world. Today, no one talks about him as just Alf-Inge’s son.

Kasper Schmeichel

Peter Schmeichel left huge gloves to fill, but Kasper didn’t just survive the pressure—he thrived. His crowning moment came when he lifted the Premier League trophy with Leicester City, proving he could build his own legacy.

Justin Kluivert

With Patrick Kluivert as a father, Justin had both expectation and opportunity from day one. But he’s written his own story, becoming the first player to score in all of Europe’s top six leagues and making Premier League history with a unique hat-trick of penalties.

🗣️ James Milner "There are lads I played with at the start of my career whose sons I’m now playing with or against: Justin Kluivert, I played with his dad at Newcastle.

I played with Bobby Clark at Liverpool and played with his dad at Newcastle; Tommy Watson’s girlfriend is Ian… pic.twitter.com/jHR7RT6zcC

— Football Talk (@FootballTalkHQ) August 14, 2025

Charlie Cresswell

The Toulouse defender, son of former player Richard Cresswell, has emerged as one of Ligue 1’s most promising young centre-backs. Unlike many who falter under expectation, Charlie has embraced the challenge, establishing himself as a top-level professional in his own right.

Charlie Cresswell is proving one of England Under-21’s leaders and most vocal team members. Cresswell began at Leeds United (his dad Richard’s old club), had a loan spell at Millwall, and is now at Toulouse. French club follow their tall centre-back’s adventures at the European… pic.twitter.com/dR2FQZAYlQ

— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) June 19, 2025

When Nepotism Fails

Not every famous surname leads to footballing glory. Some players get their shot but never quite live up to the hype.

Romeo & Brooklyn Beckham

Both of David Beckham’s sons were given opportunities—Brooklyn in Arsenal’s academy and Romeo at Brentford & Inter Miami—but neither made the grade. Despite access to elite training and endless connections, they couldn’t secure careers within the professional game.

🚨 Former Brentford player and son of the legendary David Beckham, Romeo has retired from professional football at the age of 22.

He has decided to end his football career and pursue a career in fashion, having already signed a contract with a modeling agency.

(Source:… pic.twitter.com/7ft1g3NIWS

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) September 6, 2024

Pelé’s Son (Edinho)

Pelé’s son Edinho came through at Santos with high expectations. But instead of following in his father’s footsteps, his career fizzled out after limited appearances, showing that even the greatest legacy doesn’t guarantee success.

Ronaldinho’s Son (João Mendes)

João Mendes went viral when he joined Barcelona’s academy, following in his dad’s legendary footsteps. However, his development has been patchy, and many doubt whether he can ever reach top-flight football.

These cases highlight the flipside of nepotism—opportunity can be handed to you, but only talent and hard work keep you at the top.

So, Is Nepotism Too Big an Issue?

Nepotism will always exist in football. Famous surnames attract attention, and doors swing open more easily for some than for others. That’s not inherently unfair—every industry works this way.

The real issue lies in balance. If football becomes a closed shop where connections matter more than talent, the game risks shutting out future stars who deserve their shot. But as history shows, opportunity is only half the battle. A name might get you through the academy gates, but performance decides whether you stay.

In the end, nepotism shapes football—but it doesn’t define it. For every success story like Haaland, Schmeichel, or Cresswell, there’s a Beckham or Pelé Jr who proves that no surname alone can make you a star.