Ruud Gullit's son and Johan Cruyff's great nephew Maxim makes AZ Alkmaar debut at 17
The next generation of footballing stars are descending upon us with Ruud Gullit's son Maxim the latest to breakthrough and make his senior debut.
The Dutch legend spent most of his career sticking the ball in the back of net but his 17-year-old son has chosen a path to keeping them out.
The talented defender is a product of AZ Alkmaar's youth academy and has impressed so much that he was handed his first taste of senior football on Monday.
Ruud Gullit's son Maxim made his senior debut for AZ Alkmaar reserves on Monday afternoon
The 17-year-old started on the bench but came on for final 19 minutes against FC Twente
71. Debuut! Gullit valt in voor Kramer en gaat zijn eerste minuten in het betaald voetbal maken.#twejaz 0-0 pic.twitter.com/rgwDHhQn3k
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Share 449 sharesMAXIM GULLIT FACTFILE
Age: 17
Position: Centre back
Team: AZ Alkmaar
- Made first senior appearance for AZ's reserve side on Monday. Normally plays for Under 19s.
(For this U19s this season)
Games: 21
Goals: 0
Assists: 1
<!- - ad: https://mads.dailymail.co.uk/v8/us/sport/football/article/other/mpu_factbox.html?id=mpu_factbox_1 - ->AdvertisementGullit Jnr, who normally plays for the Under 19s, came off the bench to feature in the final 19 minutes in Jong AZ Alkmaar's clash with champions Twente in the Netherlands' second tier.
He coped with the pressure of the situation well and managed to help his side record a clean sheet in a goalless stalemate.
Many have touted the young Dutch prodigy to reach the top in the future and Gullit may now be given further opportunities to kick on after making his debut for AZ's second team.
Not only does Gullit possess his father's footballing DNA, but he is also related to three-time Ballon d'Or winner Johan Cruyff.
The starlet's mother is Estelle Cruyff, the niece of the former Ajax and Barcelona star - Cruyff and Gullit's marriage ended in 2012.
Maxim's parents Ruud Gullit (L) and Estelle - Johan Cruyff's niece - pictured in 2012
View this post on Instagram
Ex-Dutch icon Gullit is now a TV pundit after leaving assistant boss role with Holland last year
And his mum could not hide her joy afterwards as she shared a clip on Twitter of Maxim entering the pitch captioned with: 'Proud mom!!!'
Dad, who is now a TV pundit after a brief spell as Holland assistant manager last year, was equally as pleased, but admitted afterwards he was anxious watching his son play.
In a post on Instagram, Gullit wrote: '40 years (!) after making my first minutes for Haarlem my son Maxim is following in my footsteps.
'I can’t tell you how special this feels and how proud I am. And also that I was a lot more nervous this afternoon! An Easter I will never forget.'
Gullit Jnr still has a lot to live up to with his father Ruud representing PSV, AC Milan and Chelsea as well as featuring 66 times for his country during an illustrious career.
Gullit senior pictured playing for AC Milan against Diego Maradona's Napoli in 1988
Gullit Jnr's great uncle Johan Cruyff is widely considered to be the greatest Dutch player ever
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