Former England footballer Ashley Young has the chance to face his 18-year-old son, Tyler, in the upcoming FA Cup third-round match between Everton and Peterborough, as both players have been named on the substitute bench for the game taking place at Goodison Park on Thursday.

Ashley Young boasts an impressive career that includes winning the FA Cup with Manchester United in 2016, as well as league titles in both England and Italy. However, the prospect of playing alongside his son far surpasses any accolades he has won throughout his career.

“I’ve mentioned many times over the years that competing alongside or against each other would be the pinnacle of my career,” he expressed on Everton’s official website. “If it happens, it will be an extraordinary experience, and I’m optimistic that it will.”

At 39 years old, Young has no concerns about having divided loyalties in the match. “That’s just not possible… When the match starts, and the whistle blows, it’s all about the opponent. We’ll both aim to win,” he stated.

Midfielder Tyler Young has had a diverse footballing journey, having previously trained with Arsenal, Queens Park Rangers, and MK Dons before signing with third-tier club Peterborough last year. He made his senior debut in a match as a substitute back in October.

“I wouldn’t describe my journey as smooth; it has certainly had its challenges, but having my dad’s support has always been invaluable whenever I needed advice,” Tyler mentioned, highlighting the benefits of having an experienced mentor by his side.

Ashley Young is now approaching the twilight of a career that has seen him represent his country in the World Cup and play for renowned clubs like Manchester United, Inter Milan, and Aston Villa.

Notable instances of father-son pairings on the field include World Cup champion Rivaldo, who played and scored alongside his son, Rivaldinho, in a Brazilian second-division match in 2015.

Additionally, in October, LeBron James and his son Bronny made history as the first father-son duo to compete together in the NBA. Furthermore, back in 1990, Ken Griffey Jr. and Sr. famously hit consecutive home runs in Major League Baseball.