Kasper Schmeichel reveals growing up as the son of a Manchester United legend almost deterred him from a career in football: 'The circus around football became too much'

  • Kasper Schmeichel is one of the top goalkeepers in the Premier League
  • He said growing up as the son of Peter threatened to derail his football career
  • Kasper revealed there was a point in his life where 'he had enough of football'
  • But by age 13-14 he fell back in love with the game and kicked on from there

Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has revealed 'the circus' surrounding his father almost deterred him from pursuing a career in football.

Schmeichel has been a stalwart at Leicester and his contribution between the sticks helped the Foxes to the Premier League title back in 2016.

He also starred in the Foxes' Champions League campaign the following season and will be in goal for Denmark at the World Cup in Russia next year. 

Kasper Schmeichel revealed that growing up as Peter's son almost put him off playing football

Kasper Schmeichel revealed that growing up as Peter's son almost put him off playing football

His dad, Peter, is a Man United icon and won 11 major trophies during his time at Old Trafford

His dad, Peter, is a Man United icon and won 11 major trophies during his time at Old Trafford

Kasper, pictured as a youngster at United, said the circus surrounding his dad was overawing

Kasper, pictured as a youngster at United, said the circus surrounding his dad was overawing

But Schmeichel revealed growing up watching his talismanic father play in that iconic Manchester United side of the Nineties often left him feeling overawed.


His dad, Peter, won 11 trophies - including that incredible treble in 1998-99 - during an illustrious eight-year stint at Old Trafford and is widely regarded as the best goalkeeper to have graced the Premier League.

But Kasper has now revealed: 'There was a point in my life where I had enough of football.

'Football was so over-awing, so intense, just everything in your life. You couldn't go anywhere, really, with my dad and the circus around football became too much for me at a young age.

'I fell back in love with it probably around 13-14. It was much to do with the camaraderie, the team-work and being part of a team. Training every day - I loved everything about that.' 

Peter is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of the Premier League era

Peter is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of the Premier League era

Kasper has also catapulted himself into the top bracket of keepers plying their trade in England

Kasper has also catapulted himself into the top bracket of keepers plying their trade in England

Schmeichel Jnr began his career at Manchester City before moving to Leeds via Notts County and a host of clubs on loan.

But since his move to the Midlands in 2011, the 31-year-old has propelled himself into the top bracket of goalkeepers in the English top flight.

A feat which was in danger of not becoming reality two decades ago.