Like father like son - international goals run in the family

Total football, the Cruyff Turn, a hatful of trophies; few footballers have influenced the game more than Johan Cruyff.

During his career the Dutchman transformed the way the game was played, as a player and as a manager for his beloved Ajax and Barcelona.

He also enjoyed a remarkable career at international level, scoring 33 goals in 48 games for the Netherlands as they dazzled opponents with their wonderful style of play.

A tough act to follow, and his son Jordi never quite lived up to his father's reputation despite boasting an impressive CV of his own.

The former Premier League winner made nine appearances for the Dutch national side and scored his only goal in a 2-0 win over Switzerland at Villa Park during Euro 1996.

Despite spells at Barcelona and Manchester United, he made the most appearances for Alaves and never appeared for the national team after 1996.

Johan left a legacy as a World Cup icon, Jordi was appointed technical director of Barcelona in 2022 and is currently working in the same role at Ajax.

Federico Chiesa made history during Euro 2020, when he emulated his father Enrico to become the first father and son pair to score in the European Championships.

Enrico played his whole career in his native Italy, turning out for historic clubs Sampdoria, Parma, Fiorentina and Lazio, and he scored seven goals in 17 appearances for the Azzurri.

The striker was selected by manager Arrigo Sacchi for Euro 1996, during which he scored Italy's only goal in a 2-1 loss to the Czech Republic before they crashed out in the first round.

His son Federico, while playing for Fiorentina, was called up to the Italian national squad for Euro 2020 and received the man of the match award in a 1-0 victory over Wales in Rome.

Then as if written in the stars, 25 years and 12 days after his father scored against the Czechs, Federico scored Italy's opener in a 2-1 win over Austria in extra time.

Italy advanced to the final where they dispatched England on penalties to lift their first trophy since winning the World Cup in 2006.

Many will remember the Ghanian Abedi Pele for his spell with Marseille, who he helped fire to their only Champions League triumph in 1993 when they defeated AC Milan.

The man dubbed the 'African Maradona' is an icon for the Black Stars, his speed and dribbling helping him dominate African football in the late 1980s and '90s.

Despite never qualifying for a World Cup, he made 73 appearances and scored 33 goals in a glittering international career.

Unlike the other inclusions on this list, Abedi has not one, but two sons who have delivered on the international stage.

His eldest son Andre, holds the joint record for the most appearances for Ghana with 120. He has scored 24 goals over that period including three at the World Cup.

It is a joint record because younger brother Jordan, the former Swansea City and Crystal Palace favourite currently at Leicester City, joined Andre on 120 caps in the draw with Wales. He has a goal return of 33.

Just as his father did at the age of 18, Andre opened his national team account in 2010 during an African Cup of Nations fixture against Burkina Faso.

Jordan followed their trajectory on 1 June, 2012 in a World Cup qualifier against Lesotho, completing the family trifecta of Ghana goal scorers.

Former Anderlecht forward Arnor Gudjohnsen and his son Eidur hold a very unusual footballing record.

They are the only father and son to play for a national football team during the same game, when Iceland defeated Estonia 3-0 in 1996.

Arnor, who was 34 at the time, was replaced by his 17-year-old son in the second half making his international debut.

As well as Chelsea, Barcelona and Bolton Wanderers, Eidur would go on to play 88 times for his country and his 26 goals put him third on the list of top scorers for Iceland.

Eidur's two oldest sons, Sveinn and Andri, have continued the family tradition of getting on the scoresheet for the national side, with Andri netting during the 4-1 defeat by Wales in 2024.

Their younger brother Daniel will be looking to join his siblings with a goal having made five appearances for Iceland already at 20 years old.

This list is not exhaustive.

There are plenty of father-son partnerships that have made their mark on the international stage.

Another Welsh entry onto the list is Mel Charles, the brother of one of Wales' finest footballers, the former Leeds United and Juventus great John Charles.

Mel turned out 31 times for Wales, scoring six goals, and his son Jeremy followed in his footsteps.

The former Swansea City player played 19 times for his country, scoring his only goal at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground in a 1-0 win over Bulgaria.

Justin Kluivert and his father Patrick could soon be added to this roll of honour. Patrick bagged an impressive 40 goals during his 79-cap Netherlands career.

Bournemouth midfielder Justin is yet to score for the Oranje but could soon change that at this summer's World Cup.

If Justin finds the net for the Netherlands, the Kluiverts will join the Gudjohnsens in having three successive generations score at international level, as grandfather Kenneth scored twice for Suriname in just three appearances.

Sergio Conceicao scored a famous hat-trick for Portugal against Germany at Euro 2000, and 24 years later his son Francisco followed, in the opening match of Euro 2024.

As Wales face their last game of the season against Romania on Saturday, it is fitting that we discuss Welsh tormenter Georghe Hagi and his son Ianis.

Georghe was apart of the Romania side that qualified for three consecutive World Cups and scored 35 goals for his national team, while his son Ianis has scored eight times for his country.

As Argentina prepare to defend their World Cup triumph, Diego Simeone and his two sons deserve a mention.

Diego scored 11 goals in 106 appearances, while his eldest son Giovanni scored once, and the exciting prospect and youngest son Giuliano has 11 caps to his name and a goal against rivals Brazil in 2025.