Mark van Bommel watched his son Ruben van Bommel make his senior international debut for the Netherlands from a mobile phone screen while preparing the Belgian national team in Tubeke. The appearance came during a 1-1 draw against Germany on Thursday, when the 22-year-old PSV forward entered the pitch in the closing stages and delivered a stoppage-time assist for Cody Gakpo’s equalizer.
For the Van Bommel family, the moment established a three-generation milestone in Dutch international football. Mark van Bommel earned 79 caps for Oranje during his playing career, while his father-in-law and Ruben’s grandfather, Bert van Marwijk, made one appearance for the Netherlands. Speaking to reporters ahead of Belgium’s fixture against France, the senior Van Bommel reflected on watching the milestone unfold digitally alongside his coaching staff.
“It was enjoying it as a father,” Van Bommel told reporters in Tubeke. “It was very nice to see directly that he gave an assist and not from hearsay. Although I would of course have liked to have been in the stadium myself.”
A Family Legacy Under Xavi Hernández
The significance of the debut was amplified by the presence of Netherlands manager Xavi Hernández on the touchline. Mark van Bommel and Xavi Hernández shared a pitch as teammates at Barcelona and opponents in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, later crossing paths again in management when Van Bommel coached Antwerp against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League.
In the days leading up to the international window, the two exchanged voice messages. “Xavi is a fantastic guy. I have played with and against him,” Van Bommel said. “It is doubly nice that Ruben played his first match in Oranje under him.”
While Mark van Bommel monitored the action from afar due to his commitments with the Red Devils, grandfather Bert van Marwijk attended the match directly from the tribunes at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam. “Opa is very proud,” Mark van Bommel noted. “He was there himself at Ruben’s debut in the stadium. It would be good if Ruben quickly goes over the number of his opa.”
Back-to-Back Success Across Borders
The milestone weekend continued less than 24 hours later when Mark van Bommel led Belgium to a 2-0 away victory over Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome during their Nations League campaign, with goals from Mika Godts and Dodi Lukébakio securing the result.
“It were two nice days,” Van Bommel laughed, reflecting on the quick succession of father-son milestones. “As a father you see your son debut. That is anyway the highest attainable for a football player. And then we also win against Italy. Now see if we can both keep it going.”
Belgium returns to action on Monday evening to face France, while the Dutch national team continues its Nations League schedule under Xavi Hernández.
Worth a look
