Players' Nicknames
Ozren Podnar reports on football players' nicknames
Will "The Braveheart" resist "The Emperor",
and "The Phantom" fool "Big Pete"?
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| M | N |
O | P | R
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U | V | W
| Y | Z
| For entire list, scroll down
Team 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, Goldenballs |
|
| 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 |
| Cavani, Edison (URU) |
The Matador |
|
| 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 |
|
| Davies, Alphonso (CAN) |
Roadrunner |
|
| De Bruyne, Kevin (BEL) |
Ginger Pele |
|
| 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 Maria, Angel (ARG) |
Fideo |
Noodle |
| 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 |
|
| Grealish, Jack (ENG) |
Peaky Jack |
|
| Gren, Gunnar (SWE) |
Profesore |
Professor |
| Guerrero, Julen (ESP) |
Perla |
Pearl |
| Gullit, Ruud (HOL) |
Tulipano Nero |
Black Tulip |
H
| Player |
Nickname |
Translation |
| Haalandi, Erling (NOR) |
The Terminator |
|
| Hagi, Gheorghe (ROM) |
Carpathian Maradona |
|
| Hamann, Dietmar (GER) |
Didi |
|
| Haristeas, Angelos (GRE) |
Harry |
|
| Hernández, Luis (MEX) |
Matador |
Killer |
| Hernández, Javier (MEX) |
Chicarito |
Little Pea |
| 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 |
|
| Kane, Harry (ENG) |
The Hurri-kane |
|
| 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 |
| Messi, Lionel (ARG) |
The Flea |
|
| Michels, Rinus (HOL) |
Generaal |
General |
| Modric, Luka (CRO) |
Croatian Cruyff |
|
| 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 |
| Neymar (BRA) |
O Joia |
The Gem |
| 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 |
| Pulisic, Christian (USA) |
Captain America |
|
| Puskas, Ferenc (HUN) |
Galloping Major |
|
R
| Player |
Nickname |
Translation |
| Ramos, Sergio (ESP) |
Cuqui |
Cuckoo |
| 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 |
| Ronaldo, Cristiano (POR) |
CR7, El Bicho |
The Bug |
| 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 |
|
| Son, Heung-min (KOR) |
Sonaldo |
|
| 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 |
