Like Father, Like Son: A Conversation with Sydney and Pierre van Hooijdonk
If making progress runs in the genes, then Sydney van Hooijdonk is heading for promising years ahead. The striker increasingly resembles his father Pierre, former professional footballer, analyst, and well-known figure in the game. We spoke with father and son in an open and honest conversation about the road to the present, parallels and differences between them, and how they view the future.
Football From the First Step
That football was ingrained in young Sydney van Hooijdonk from an early age will come as no surprise to many. A ball was the very first gift he received from his father.
Pierre: “When he starts walking, you naturally see if he enjoys kicking a ball. My grandparents used to build goals out of broomsticks and nets so I could play football. I think my grandfather felt the same way about me as I do now about my son; seeing whether he enjoys the same sport because you associate so much with it.”
Sydney: “Still, I always felt the freedom to do what I liked myself. Whether that was football or not. I didn’t find it all that special. I preferred kicking a ball around in the street with friends.”
The Pros and Cons of Being “the Son Of”
After his departure from Feyenoord in 2007, Pierre took on the role of youth coach for Sydney’s team. He laughs as he recalls an anecdote from that time.
Pierre: “Back then, we had one boy in the team with a darker skin tone, who was also the best player. At away matches, families would always say you could tell who the son was. Because of that, Sydney quietly went through matches outside the spotlight.”
When the supposed son left the team and the act came to an end, father and son were open about the truth. Sydney explains that expectations were not always easy to deal with.
Sydney: “No one was really watched closely, except me. People would say things like, ‘He’s not that good.’ That could be irritating.”
Pierre: “People always want to see parallels and similarities with how I was as a footballer. People expected me to produce a good footballer, otherwise I had failed. Even if he couldn’t do anything at all, so what? I’m here to watch my son. Let the doubters doubt. They did the same to me, after all.”
East, West, Home Is Best
Sydney still returns weekly to Breda, where he sees his sister and friends and alternates visits between his parents. He describes time spent with family as pleasantly normal.
Sydney: “Now that I’ve experienced living abroad, which I’ll be doing again next season, I’ve come to appreciate being home even more. Talking with my mother, having a coffee with my father, grabbing a sandwich with friends. That’s more than enough. Life here and in Bologna can’t be compared. Here my social life is bigger and there’s less chaos, but over there it’s lively in the streets all year round. Being social, polite, tidy, and well-groomed. I often hear that I’ve had a good upbringing, and that’s a compliment to both my dad and my mum. My father also really lit a fire in me.”
Pierre: “It’s beautiful when children push their own limits, in any profession. As long as there’s a drive to do things as well as possible.”
Pierre is visibly proud of his son. That pride is mutual.
Sydney: “I recently watched all the UEFA Cup highlights again. I’m genuinely proud of my dad. And when people talk about him, for example about something he says on television, I become very protective.”
The two laugh when asked how often Sydney watches Pierre’s TV appearances.
Sydney: “I watch a few times in the…”
Pierre: “At most once a week.”
No hard feelings.
From Goals to Dreams
Asked whether he is proud of himself, Sydney answers less decisively.
Sydney: “Sometimes I do find it beautiful where I am now, especially since a few years ago I was nowhere. But as soon as I achieve something, I want to take the next step.”
Where have we heard that before? Pierre, your turn.
Pierre: “With a super talent, take young Messi, everyone knew where it was heading. That wasn’t the case with me or with Sydney. I find it beautiful that he’s doing it the same way I did, by working hard despite the doubts. Without discrediting top talents, I think our story is much nicer to look back on.”
How Sydney’s story will unfold remains to be seen. The young Van Hooijdonk takes it step by step, as long as he keeps moving toward his goals.
Sydney: “My biggest dream is, of course, to one day follow my father’s footsteps into the Dutch national team.”
Pierre: “That’s the difference between goals and dreams.”
After this conversation, only one conclusion remains: like father, like son.
Ready for more?
Enjoyed reading about Pierre and Sydney van Hooijdonk sharing their story in our exclusive interview? Read the full interview in our magazine issue 77.
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