Introducing the Next Wave of Nepo Babies Ready to Dominate Football: From an Arsenal Prodigy to the Son of a Rugby Legend!

IT’S nepotism, quite literally, at its finest.

These are making a name for themselves in the football world.

From a teen who is rising up the ranks at Arsenal’s youth academy to a huge talent at tipped for the top, SunSport has unearthed the next generation of kids following in their famous parents’ footsteps.

Incredibly, one of them made their debut for Liverpool in the opening weekend of the 2026/27 Premier League season.

And another in Saudi Arabia…

Gabriel Arteta

The 17-year-old son of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with the Gunners in June 2026.

Gabriel, who is a winger, made his Under-18s debut in April of the same year against Reading in an U18 Premier League game.

He has since gone on to train with the U21 team.

The youngster previously travelled to Arsenal’s first-team pre-season training camp in the United States a couple of years ago.

Aged just 14 at the time, he did not take part in any sessions and instead watched from the sidelines with the coaching staff.

Phoenix Offiah

of the teenage son of rugby league icon Martin Offiah.

Phoenix, 16, is making huge waves at Tottenham’s academy, where he is a goalscoring machine.

The 6ft 2in forward found the net 26 times in youth football last term, and scored in the Under-16s Premier League Cup final win over Fulham.

Earlier this month, he bagged all four goals for the U18s in a 4-1 win over Wolves.

Dad Martin famously notched 501 tries during an incredible oval-ball career with Widness and Wigan, so he’s got some way to go.

Cristiano Ronaldo Jr

It’s some pressure to follow in the footsteps of your dad when he’s won the Ballon d’Or five times.

But, Cristiano Jr doesn’t appear to be fazed. The 16-year-old is already playing for Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr’s youth team, taking on penalty and free kick duties and scoring plenty of goals.

Of course, his dad plays for the senior team – and it has been suggested that the pair could eventually line up together, .

However, Cristiano Jr is his own man and has received call-ups to Portugal’s national youth teams at U15 and U16 level.

Kai Rooney

Wayne Rooney’s son Kai, 16, is on the books at and was flying in their U18s, before a foot injury set him back last season.

But, he is now after recently competing in the eight-team Otten Cup in Eindhoven with the Red Devils’ youth side.

A speedy winger, Kai broke into Darren Fletcher’s Under-18s as a 15-year-old in January.

He scored two goals and laid on one assist in six U18 Premier League fixtures.

Time will tell if football is his calling, but proud mum revealed last week that Kai had also passed all his GCSEs.

Lewis Koumas

With Liverpool trailing Newcastle 2-1 in their Premier League opener, a forward with a familiar last name entered the fray.

It was Lewis, son of , who turned out for West Brom and Wigan in the top flight, who the Reds turned to for a goal in the 78th minute from the bench.

Now 20, Lewis enjoyed a successful loan at Hull City in the Championship – as they gained promotion to the Premier League – last season.

He has also been capped 12 times by Wales.

Jacey Carrick

Another Premier League manager with his son in his club’s academy is Michael Carrick.

Jacey stars in the same Man Utd youth side as Kai Rooney, in what must be a nepo babies U18s super-team.

signed scholarship terms with the Red Devils in the summer and is cut from a similar cloth to his dad.

According to United fan site United In Focus , he is a defensive midfielder with the ability to dictate the tempo of a game.

Jack and Tyler Fletcher

Proving to be the ultimate nepo babies youth set-up, Man Utd also boast , Jack and Tyler, 19.

They controversially joined the club from Man City in 2023, and are both midfielders.

Jack made his debut for the first team as a substitute against Aston Villa in December 2025.

Tyler appeared for the first time in February 2026 against Tottenham.

Their appearance made history. It is the first time a set of twins and their father have ever played in the top flight since it began in 1888.

Another nepo baby to make headlines this summer was Elijah, who snubbed a deal at Spurs and signed a professional contract with Arsenal in July.

He is following in the footsteps of his dad, Matthew Upson, who played 56 times for the Gunners from 1997 to 2003.

, the ball-playing defender is considered a very promising talent.

The likes of Man City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and more were all said to be interested in signing the 18-year-old.

Damian Cech

Dad Petr Cech was one of the Premier League’s greatest ever goalkeepers.

So, son Damian has some huge gloves to fill.

But he has plenty of talent inherited from his old man, and signed his first first professional contract in July 2025.

Last season, he became a hero on loan at Epsom & Ewell, where he saved two penalties in a shootout and won Player of the Match on his debut.

He also turned out for the Czech U18 team at just 15.

Lorenz and Tate Ferdinand

Lorenz and Tate, sons of England and Man Utd legend , are both on the books at Brighton.

20-year-old Lorenz is a goalkeeper, who joined the Seagulls aged 12. He spent last season on loan at Havant & Waterlooville, but has returned to star for Brighton’s U21’s.

18-year-old Tate, who has been described as a natural leader, plays as a centre back, like dad Rio.

He signed a pro contract this summer and is captain of the U18s.

Beau Redknapp

Beau, 17, can count on two generations of his family playing football at the highest level.

Grandad Harry starred for West Ham in the 60s and 70s, while dad Jamie came through the ranks at Liverpool, before moving to Spurs.

Oh and there’s another big name superstar in the family… Frank Lampard is Beau’s second cousin.

Beau, whose mum is singer Louise, signed a scholarship deal with Brentford for the 2025-26 season.

, he recently earned headlines for the Bees – scoring twice in a 4-2 defeat to Southampton in the U18s Premier League.

Which one of these talents do you think will make it?