Players' Nicknames

Ozren Podnar reports on football players' nicknames

Will "The Braveheart" resist "The Emperor", and "The Phantom" fool "Big Pete"?

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z | For entire list, scroll down

Team Nicknames

Players Nicknames

The excitement that the Champions League is currently generating is hard to bear, especially when we know that "The Phantom" will be sneaking up to "Big Pete's" goal, while on the other end, standing behind "The Pig", will be no other than "Genghis Khan"!

How could we not tremble at the thought of "The Emperor" and the "Little Witch" trying to break "The Braveheart", with the "Eastern Wind" right in their faces?

The "Old Lady" can unleash "The Czech Cannon". How will their rivals resist when their own coach refuses to resort to his "Wizard of Oz"?

The connoisseurs of the game have immediately recognized who we are talking about. The picturesque world of soccer is full of eccentric characters, who have inspired their mates and fans into giving them intriguing nicknames.

Sometimes players' real names have been the inspiration. What could Oliver Kahn be if not "Genghis Khan," or Bastian Schweinsteiger "Schweini," even though it sounds like 'pig' in German? Place of origin matters too, so Shevchenko is called "The Eastern Wind", and Pavel Nedved "The Czech Cannon".

Among the Champions League heroes we also find Roy Makaay, called "The Phantom" because of his knack of passing unseen through opposing defences, and Alvaro Recoba who has been baptized "The Chinese", owing to his eyes that are unusually slanted for a Uruguayan.

Inter's Juan Sebastian Verón is known as "The Little Witch", simply because his father Juan Ramón was "The Witch" on account of his magical skills. His teammate at Inter, Javier Zanetti, bears the name "The Tractor", no doubt because he has been plowing San Siro's flanks for almost ten years. The frowning Gennaro Gattuso has been called "Braveheart" since his adventure with Glasgow Rangers, but his demeanor has also earned him the nickname of "The Growler".

The current Liverpool team has few standout nicknames, but the Australian Harry Kewell owns one of the wittiest in the Premiership: "Wizard of Oz", which refers both to his skills and his Oz-tralian origins.

Here are the most curious nicknames of famous players and coaches from around the world.

Please Contact Us if you have information on other players' nicknames.

A

Player Nickname Translation
Acuña, Roberto (PAR) Toro Bull
Adams, Toni (ENG) Donkey  

Adriano Leite (BRA)

Imperatore
Emperor
Aleinichev, Dimitrij (RUS) Olen Deer
Al-Owaeran, Said (SAU) Desert Maradona  

Altobelli, Alessandro (ITA)

Spillo Needle
Amokachi, Daniel (NIG) Black Buffalo  
Anderson, Sonny (BRA) Pistolero Gunslinger

Asanovic, Aljosa (CRO)

Profesor Professor

Asanovic, Aljosa (CRO)

Vatreni lakat Fiery Elbow
Asprilla, Faustino (COL) Gacela Negra Black Gazelle
Astrada, Leonardo (ARG) Jefe Boss

B

Player Nickname Translation
Baggio, Roberto (ITA) Codino d' Oro Golden Ponytail
Basler, Mario (GER) Super Mario  
Batistuta, Gabriel (ARG) Batigol  
Beckenbauer, Franz (GER) Kaiser Emperor
Beckham, David (ENG) Spice Boy  
Bergkamp, Dennis (HOL) Non-Flying Dutchman  
Bergomi, Giuseppe (ITA) Zio Uncle
Bilardo, Carlos (ARG) Narigón Big Nose
Boniek, Zbigniew (POL) Bello di notte Beauty of the Night
Bravo, Daniel (FRA) Petit Prince Little Prince
Butragueno, Emilio (ESP) Buitre Vulture

C

Player Nickname Translation
Caniggia, Claudio (ARG) Pajaro Bird
Cantona, Eric (FRA) King Eric  
Capello, Fabio (ITA) Professore Professor
Casiraghi, Pierluigi (ITA) Bisontino Little Bull
Causio, Franco (ITA) Barone Baron
Cech, Pete (CZE) Big Pete  
Ceulemans, Jan (BEL) Vlaamse Reus Flemish Giant
Charlton, Jack (ENG) Giraffe  
Collymore, Stan (ENG) Stan the Man  
Costacurta, Alessandro (ITA) Billy  
Cruz, Julio (ARG) Jardinero Gardener

D

Player Nickname Translation
Dalglish, Kenny (SCO) King Kenny  
Da Silva, Jorge (URU) Polilla Moth
Davids, Edgar (HOL) Pitbull  
Davids, Edgar (HOL) Piranha  
De La Pena, Ivan (ESP) Pequeno Buda Little Buddha
Desailly, Marcel (FRA) Rock  
Desailly, Marcel (FRA) Beast  
Di Livio, Angelo (ITA) Soldatino Little Soldier
Di Stefano, Alfredo (ARG/ESP) Saeta Rubia Blond Arrow
Donis, Giorgos (GRE) Train  

E

Player Nickname Translation
Edmundo (BRA) Animal  
Etcheverry, Marco (BOL) Diablo Devil
Eusebio da Silva (POR) Pantera Nera Black Panther

F

Player Nickname Translation
Faber, Ernest (HOL) Paper clip  
Ferrer, Albert (ESP) Chapi  
Flo, Tore Andre (NOR) Flonaldo  
Francescoli, Enzo (URU) Principe Prince
Futre, Paulo (POR) La Joya Precious Stone

G

Player Nickname Translation
Gallardo, Marcelo (ARG) Muñeco Doll
Garrincha, Manoel (BRA) Passaro Bird
Garrincha, Manoel (BRA) Alegria do Povo People's Joy
Gascoigne, Paul (ENG) Gazza  
Gattuso, Gennaro (ITA) Ringhio Gruntler
Gattuso, Gennaro (ITA) Braveheart  
Gerets, Eric (BEL) Leeuw Lion
Giannini, Giuseppe (ITA) Principe di Roma Roman Prince
Giggs, Ryan (WALES) Welsh Wizard  
Goikoetxea, Andoni (ESP) Carnicero Butcher
González Cristián (ARG) Killy  
González Cristián (ARG) Speedy Gonzalez  
Gren, Gunnar (SWE) Profesore Professor
Guerrero, Julen (ESP) Perla Pearl
Gullit, Ruud (HOL) Tulipano Nero Black Tulip

H

Player Nickname Translation
Hagi, Gheorghe (ROM) Carpathian Maradona  
Hamann, Dietmar (GER) Didi  
Haristeas, Angelos (GRE) Harry  
Hernández, Luis (MEX) Matador Killer
Herrera, Helenio (ARG) Mago Wizard
Hughes, Mark (WALES) Sparky  
Hurtado, Eduardo (ECU) Tanque Tank

I

Player Nickname Translation
Ilie, Adrian (ROM) Cobra  
Ince, Paul (ENG) Gov'nor  
Inzaghi, Filippo (ITA) Super Pippo  

J

Player Nickname Translation
Jacobsen, Jahn Ivar (NOR) Cobra  
Jensen, John (DEN) Faxe  
Johnstone, Jimmy (SCO) Flea  
Jonk, Wilhelm (HOL) Spijker Nail
Jorge, Arthur (POR) Filosofo Philosopher

K

Player Nickname Translation
Kahn, Oliver (GER) Genghis Khan  
Keegan, Kevin (ENG) King Kevin  
Kempes, Mario (ARG) Matador Killer
Kewell, Harry (AUS) Wizard of Oz  
Kiprich, Jozef (HUN) Tovenaar van Tatabanya Wizard from Tatabanya
Klinsmann, Jurgen (GER) Klinsi  
Koller, Jan (CZE) Lange Tall One
Kranjcar, Zlatko (CRO) Cico  

L

Player Nickname Translation
Labbadia, Bruno (GER) Sheriff  
Lalas, Alexi (USA) Red Bull  
Laudrup, Michael (DEN) Great Dane  
Liedholm, Nils (SWE) Barone Baron
Lobanovski, Valeri (UCR) Pukovnik  
Lombardo, Attilio (ITA) Bald Eagle  
López, Claudio (ARG) Piojo Flea
Lucarelli, Cristiano (ITA) Toro Bull
Luzhni, Oleg (UCR) Horse  

M

Player Nickname Translation
McClair, Brian (SCO) Choccy  
McNeill, Billy (SCO) Caesar  
Mahlas, Nikos (GRE) Greek Lightning  
Makaay, Roy (HOL) Phantom  
Mancini, Roberto (ITA) Mancio Left-footed
Maradona, Diego (ARG) Pelusa Dishevelled One
Matthews, Stanley (ENG) Wizard of Dribble  
Max, Martin (GER) Mad Max  
Menotti, Cesar Luis (ARG) Flaco Slim
Michels, Rinus (HOL) Generaal General
Morientes, Fernando (ESP) Moro Black One
Müller, Gerd (GER) DickeR Fat One
Müller, Gerd (GER) Bomber  

N

Player Nickname Translation
Nedved, Pavel (CZE) Cannone ceco Czech Canon
Neeskens, Johan (HOL) Toro Bull
Nordahl, Gunnar (SWE) Il Bisonte Buffalo
Nordahl, Gunnar (SWE) Cannoniere Gunner

O

Player Nickname Translation
Olsen, Jesper (DEN) Flea  
Ortega, Ariel (ARG) Burrito Little Donkey
Osim, Ivica (BOS) Strauss  

P

Player Nickname Translation
Pancev, Darko (MAC) Kobra Cobra
Pandiani, Walter (URU) Rifle  
Pardeza, Miguel (ESP) Ratoncito Little Rat
Passarella, Daniel (ARG) Guerrero Warrior
Pearce, Stuart (ENG) Psycho  
Pelé (BRA) Rei King
Petkovic, Dejan (SER) Rambo  
Petrescu, Dan (ROM) Agent Mulder  
Pfaff, Jean-Marie (BEL) Simpatico Likeable
Pizarro, Claudio (PER) Pizza  
Polster, Anton (AUT) Golster  
Prati, Pierino (ITA) Peste  
Prosinecki, Robert (CRO) Zuti The Yellow One
Puskas, Ferenc (HUN) Galloping Major  

R

Player Nickname Translation
Ravanelli, Fabrizio (ITA) Penna Bianca White Feather
Recoba, Alvaro (URU) Chino Chinese
Redondo, Fernando (ARG) Principe Prince
Passarella, Daniel (ARG) Guerrero Warrior
Rehhagel, Otto (GER) Konig Otto King Otto
Renato Portaluppi (BRA) Gaucho  
Riva, Luigi (ITA) Rombo di tuono Sound of Thunder
Rivera, Gianni (ITA) Ragazzo d'oro Golden Boy
Robson, Bryan (ENG) Captain Marvel Captain Marvel
Rivera, Gianni (ITA) Abatino Little Friar
Rocheteau, Dominique (FRA) L'Ange Vert Green Angel
Romario (BRA) Baixinho Shorty
Ronaldo (BRA) Fenomeno Phenomenon
Rossi, Paolo (ITA) Pablito  
Roth, Franz (GER) Bull Bull
Rufer, Wynton (NZL) Kiwi  

S

Player Nickname Translation
Sacchi, Arrigo (ITA) Martello Hammer
Salas, Marcelo (CHI) Matador  
Salihamidzic, Hasan (BOS) Braco, Brazzo Little Brother
Sanchez, Erwin (BOL) Platini  
Sanchez, Erwin (BOL) Diablo Devil
Sanchez, Pablo (ARG) Vitamina Vitamine
Savicevic, Dejan (SER) Genio Genius
Schillaci, Salvatore (ITA) Toto  
Schumacher, Harald (GER) Toni  
Schuster, Bernd (GER) Blond Engel Blond Angel
Sheringham, Teddy (ENG) Ready Teddy  
Shevchenko, Andriy (UCR) Vento dell'Est Eastern Wind
Solskjaer, Ole Gunnar (NOR) Baby-faced Assasin  
Sosa, Rubén (URU) Principito Little Prince
Simone, Marco (ITA) Batman  
Skoblar, Josip (CRO) Monsieur But Mister Goal
Stankovic, Dejan (SER) Il Drago The Dragon
Stoichkov, Hristo (BUL) Pitbull  
Stojkovic, Dragan (SER) Pixsi  
Suker, Davor (CRO) Sukerman  
Sükür, Hakan (TUR) Toro del Bosporo Bull from the Bosporus

T

Player Nickname Translation
Thuram, Lilian (FRA) Filosofo Philosopher
Tostao (BRA) Pelé Branco White Pelé
Totti, Francesco (ITA) Capitano Skipper

U

Player Nickname Translation
Unsworth, David (ENG) Rhino  

V

Player Nickname Translation
Valderrama, Carlos (COL) Pibe Boy
Valderrama, Carlos (COL) White Gullit  
Van Basten, Marco (HOL) Swan from Utrecht  
Van der Kerkhof, W. (HOL) Stofzuiger Vacuum Cleaner
Van Hanegem, Wim (HOL) Kromme Hobbler
Verón, Juan Ramón (ARG) Bruja Witch
Verón, Juan Sebastian (ARG) Brujita Little Witch
Vierchowod, Pietro (ITA) Zar  
Vierchowod, Pietro (ITA) Russo Russian
Vieri, Christian (ITA) Bobo  
Vogts, Hubert (GER) Berti  
Vogts, Hubert (GER) Terrier  

W

Player Nickname Translation
Waddle, Chris (ENG) Dribbler fou Crazy Dribbler
Winterburn, Nigel (ENG) Nutty  
Woodgate, Jonathan (ENG) Woody  
Wouters, Jan (HOL) Mr. Elbow  
Wright, Ian (ENG) Dr. Jeckyll  
Wynalda, Eric (USA) Waldo  
Wynalda, Eric (USA) Cannon  

Y

Player Nickname Translation
Yashin, Lav (RUS) Black Spider  

Z

Player Nickname Translation
Zagallo, Mario (BRA) Lobo Vuk
Zahovic, Zlatko (SLO) ZZ Top  
Zajec, Velimir (CRO) Zeko Rabbit
Zamora, Ricardo (ESP) Divino Divine
Zamorano, Iván (CHI) Bam bam  
Zamorano, Iván (CHI) Ivan el Terrible Ivan the Terrible
Zanetti, Javier (ARG) Il Tractore The Tractor
Zenga, Walter (ITA) Spiderman  
Zico (BRA) Pelé Branco White Pelé
Zidane, Zinedine (FRA) Zizou  
Zoff, Dino (ITA) Monumento Monument

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