They don’t see it often.
Since joining Barcelona from Arsenal in 2014, Thomas Vermaelen has found it difficult to get regular games.
Whether because of injuries – which he is prone to picking up – or just competition from the likes of Javier Mascherano and Samuel Umtiti, the Belgian centre-back has not managed to nail down a spot in the Barcelona side.
For this weekend’s Clásico, the only fit centre-backs were Gerard Piqué and Vermaelen. This was his chance. And he took it, putting in a solid performance in a 3-0 away victory.
Vermaelen’s children thoroughly enjoyed this moment too. As the starting lineups were shown on television, his three kids were crowded around the TV screen and they celebrated as they saw the number 23 appear next to their dad.
Lukcily for football fans, the heartwarming moment was caught on camera by their mother.
Thomas Vermaelen's kids reacting to him playing in El Clásico is pure Christmas.
Moment captured by mum @PollyParsonsx 📹 pic.twitter.com/wS0SqldcEt
— Jake Entwistle (@JakeEntwistle) December 23, 2017
It must be exciting for them to see their father play after his unlucky run of injuries, and even nicer for him, especially as he has played eight consecutive matches without suffering any sort of setback. It’s a Christmas miracle.
Come May, it’s likely that his kids won’t just be pointing at the TV in celebration, but parading around Camp Nou with their ’23, Papá’ kits on, after Barça have wrapped up the league title.
