Looking down the Fiorentina team-sheet these days you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d been transported back to the 1990s.
Simeone. Hagi. Chiesa. Who’s next? Batistuta?
It just so happens that the sons of Diego, Gheorghe and Enrico- Giovanni, Ianis and Federico- are all on the books of La Viola at the same time.
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Unfortunately none of Gabriel Batistuta’s sons are professional footballers, so the ultimate nostalgic reunion is off the cards.
But there are plenty of players who starred in Europe in the ’90s whose sons are now performing at the highest level.
So who else could Fiorentina sign to continue the 90s nostalgia?
Justin Kluivert (Patrick’s son)
Kluivert, whose dad spent a year playing at Milan between 1997 and 1998, would be an expensive addition for Fiorentina, given he’s already attracting admiring glances from Man United.
The 18-year-old made his Ajax debut last season and has rapidly established himself as a first-team member in Amsterdam thanks to electric pace and mazy dribbles.
Although not blessed with his father’s size or strength Justin is exceptionally good on the ball, registering four assists and two goals in seven Eredivisie starts last season.
The Talent of the Future award he picked up at the end of his first Ajax campaign was previously won by Rafael van der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder and Christian Eriksen. No pressure then.
Rivaldinho (Rivaldo’s son)
Did you know that Rivaldo and his son Rivaldinho once scored in the same game? Know you do.
Rivaldinho broke through in Brazilian domestic football at Mogi Mirim, where played alongside his dad.
An unsuccessful spell in Europe saw the forward return to Brazil but in February he once again moved abroad, joining Romanian side Dinamo Bucuresti.
His dad was in attendance to watch the 22-year-old rocket home a goal against Athletic Bilbao. We wonder who he learned that move from?
Luca Zidane (Zinedine’s son)
The battle for Real Madrid’s third goalkeeper spot shouldn’t be interesting.
But the identity of one of those keepers, Luca Zidane, has made it interesting.
The 19-year-old is, of course, the son of Zinedine, who just so happens to be managing Madrid, and doing so with spectacular success.
If Luca fancied a spell in Italy, like his dad did when he spent five years with Juventus, we’re sure Fiorentina could find a space for him.
Timothy Weah (George’s son)
Born in America to a Liberian father who set the footballing world alight in Italy during the 1990s, Timothy Weah can call upon his dad George for plenty of global experience.
His dad is the only African player to date to win the Ballon d’Or, so Timothy might be feeling the pressure ever so slightly.
But he’s made a promising start to his professional career, signing a contract at PSG that will see him tied down until 2020.
The 17-year-old already has a UEFA Youth League hat-trick to his name for PSG, so it looks like George has passed his shooting boots down a generation.
Enzo Zidane (Zinedine’s son)
You thought we were done with Keeping up with the Zidanes. You thought wrong.
Enzo scored on his very first Madrid senior appearance, but anyone who complained of nepotism couldn’t have argued with what happened next.
Zinedine sold Enzo to Alaves this summer, meaning he’ll have to continue his career outside of the glare of his father.
That might make for a slightly awkward family reunion.
