In football, there is one unique thing, which has always existed from time to time, namely giving nicknames to the players. Typically, a player’s nickname is obtained, both from the style of play, strengths, country of origin, or achievements made. The nickname can also be obtained, from the character, or the player’s unique attributes.
In terms of playing style, we found, among others, the figure of Arjen Robben. The former Dutch national team players and Bayern Munich are known by the nickname “Mr. Cut Inside”, referring to the style of play that is his trademark.
There is also Rafael Marquez, former defender of the Mexican national team and Barcelona, which in his country has the nickname “El Kaiser de Michoacan” (Emperor of Mexico), referring to his position as team captain, and his elegant playing style.
The figure of Juan Roman Riquelme is a unique case in terms of playing style. Understandably, the Argentino has the nickname “Lazy Witch”. This nickname was obtained, because despite having a special vision of playing when with the ball, he looks likely to be “lazy” when making movements without the ball.
In terms of strengths owned, there are two middle field maestro, who are nicknamed because of their strengths. First, there is Andrea Pirlo, a former Juventus star and the Italian national team, known as “The Metronome”, referring to the ability to set the tempo of the game and the execution of his dead ball. Secondly, there is Juninho Pernambucano, a former Lyon player and the Brazilian national team, who earned the nickname “Mr. Free-kick”, because he often scores with free kicks.
A unique paradox is that of the two front players, because of their strengths, which are at the same time their hallmarks. The first name is Dirk Kuyt, a former Dutch and Liverpool national team player, who during his playing period was known as “Mr. Duracell”, referring to his special stamina and work ethic.
On the other hand, we also know the figure of Filippo Inzaghi, a former AC Milan player and the Italian national team, known as “The Offside King”, referring to his ability to escape the offside trap, and his position which is almost always close to the offside line during play. Because of the intimate “relationship” Inzaghi with an offside position, Sir Alex Ferguson joked that Inzaghi might have been born in an offside position.
But, if there are players who are known for their strengths as well as the bad attitude they have done on the field, Luis Suarez is the most classy example. The spearhead of the Uruguay national team is known as “El Pistolero”, referring to his okay scoring ability.
Even so, he is also known as “Dracula”, because he had been given several long suspensions, as a result of biting an opposing player, as he did at Giorgio Chiellini (Italy) at the 2014 World Cup. Regarding the country of origin, there is Mohamed Salah, whom Liverpool fans nicknamed “Egyptian King”, referring to his home country.
In the past, we also know the figure of Pavel Nedved, the legend of Juventus and the Czech Republic national team, known as “The Czech Cannon”, referring to the country of origin, and the accuracy of his shot was okay.
Regarding achievement, there is a paradox that is the basis for why a player is known. First, judging by the positive achievements he made on the field. Second, seen from the controversy, unique statements, or negative achievements made.
For the first case, there is Pele (Brazil), nicknamed “O Rey” (The King), partly because of the success of winning three World Cup trophies during play. In addition to Pele, there is also Ronaldo, another Brazilian legend, known as “The Phenomenon”, because he was productive in scoring goals during play.
In the second case, there is one label that was later viral in cyberspace, and became a “characteristic” of certain football players, namely “Lord”. Some are known as “Lord” because they like to throw unique statements, such as Dejan Lovren, and Nicklas Bendtner. Some are remembered as “Lord” because of poor performances in one match, as experienced by Loris Karius. The German Liverpool goalkeeper was “ordained” as Lord, due to a pair of blunders in the 2017/2018 Champions League final.
In a similar case, there is the name of Jesse Lingard who helped become a “Lord”. Understandably, the Manchester United player was later more productive in terms of creating viral content in cyberspace, rather than making goals or assists on the gridiron.
Even so, some are remembered as “Lord” because of the achievements or positive contributions that have been made. For example, Divock Origi, who recently often scored crucial goals for Liverpool, as he did in the semifinals and final of the Champions League last season. Before Origi, there was Eder (Portugal) who emerged as the “Lord”, thanks to the single goal he scored in the 2016 European Cup final.
ASL
