Men with One Name

Footballers around the world are trying to make a name for themselves. Quite a few of them eventually do, but have just one name. Does that ring a bell? Have you ever wondered what their full names were? Ever struggled with their first/last names? While numerous examples pop up in my head, here are a few that you already know:

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – OCTOBER 03: Tobias Sana of Ajax is fouled by Kaka of Real during the UEFA Champions League Group D match between Ajax Amsterdam and Real Madrid at Amsterdam Arena on October 3, 2012 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

1. Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite is better known as Kaká. Brazilian footballers have this knack of finding small nicknames for the longest of names. This will stop here, lest we get into Cafu, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Zico, Garrincha and Romario. Phew!

2. Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha

Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha, commonly called Nani. Brazilians essentially speak Portuguese, so we know where this habit stems from.

3. Képler Laveran Lima Ferreira

Képler Laveran Lima Ferreira, commonly known as Pepe. Brilliant defender and very easy to call out on the field, obviously.

4. Gervais Lombe Yao Kouassi

Gervais Lombe Yao Kouassi, or Gervinho. The Ivorian is usually called Yao Kouassi by the very articulate FIFA commentators. Let’s not go there.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 25: Guti of Besiktas JK in action during the Turkish Spor Toto Super League match between Besiktas JK and Antalyaspor held on September 25, 2011 at the BJK Inonu Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey.

5. José María Gutiérrez Hernández

José María Gutiérrez Hernández, commonly called Guti which comes from Gutiérrez, which was clearly too long.

6. Xavier Hernández i Creus

Xavier Hernández i Creus is the name that gave way to simply Xavi. But no one really cares about what’s in the name as long as his work rate continues at the phenomenal levels they have touched.

7. Miguel Pérez Cuesta

A new find for the English Premier League and importantly for Swansea City. Miguel Pérez Cuesta gives way to Michu for convenience.

8. Tiago Manuel Dias Correia

Tiago Manuel Dias Correia has played for the Portugal under-21 side and Manchester United, but probably likes being called Bébé.