Football Wonderkid Scout
Football Wonderkids
Like Father Like Son
When looking through the history of football legends, there are few players who have gone on to emulate their father. Paolo Maldini is the most famous son of a great player and is perhaps the exception rather than the rule,
when he became the first son to lift Champions League glory, just like his father. In comparison the likes of Kasper Schemeichel, Jordi Cruyff and Paul Dalglish have all failed to emulate their father's success. Could that all be set to change with some famous names currently making headlines at youth level. Real Madrid director Jorge Valdano is believed to have been impressed with the progress of Enzo Zidane, son of one of the best players on the planet. Enzo who currently plays in Los Blancos academy structure, plays in the same position as his father and even wears the same number 10 shirt. While his talent has been known for some time, his progress is believed to have reached new heights and is attracting interest from scouting networks all over Europe.
Such is the growing reputation of 16 year-old Enzo that there is now a question over which country he will represent. With his father being one of France's greatest legends and having been born in France, it may seem a staight forward decision. However, his mother is Spanish (which is why he is also called Enzo Fernandez) and he has lived the majority of his life in the Spainsh capital. The French are desperate to have him join them,
Real Madrid Starlet Enzo Zidane
but Spain's U17 coach Giles Melendez has other ideas and is set to test Enzo's loyalty by calling him up to the national team. Whilst a decision to play for either Spain or France at Under-17 level would not officially rule him out of playing for the other country in the future, it is expected that his first choice is likely to be his final one and the decision will no doubt be a tricky one for Enzo and his father given that his two younger brothers Luca and Theo would both presumably follow in his footsteps. WIth quick feet, excellent technique and vision, Enzo's style is very reminiscent of father Zinidine and looks to have all the attributes to be a star on the world stage. Meanwhile a third generation of Maldini's could be in the making, with Paolo's young sons Christian and Daniel both playing in the Milan academy structure and hoping to carry on the family dynasty. Football clearly runs in the blood with father Paolo and grandfather Cesare both going on to become icons of Italian football. Both players are at the hands of Angelo Colombo who is head of the Rossoneri’s youth set-up. Christian is 14 years of age, and former player Alessandro Costacurta believes he has all the attributes to emulate his father and become a Milan regular. Daniel Maldini is a 9 year old defender, currently playing for one of Milan's academy teams and is dubbed to become a future star of football and follow in the footsteps of his Dad and Granded.
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