by J Mock

Created on: September 21, 2009   Last Updated: September 13, 2010

Football (soccer) shirts may depict a players team number and given name when playing on the pitch, but the individual player is often referred to by another name - a nickname - either by team-mates or the general public.

Within the camaraderie of a football team it is common practice for a player to earn a nickname, for any number of reasons. Friendly banter between the players, in giving a player a moniker, is part of team morale.

Outside of a football club, a player may earn a nickname through the media or football fans. Performance, skill, natural ability and even off-the-field incidents contribute to the invention of a memorable nickname. Without asking the individual players, the adopted names bestowed upon them may be seen as a blessing or a curse, but when the nickname is called out, people recognize the player.

Open to debate, but the most recognisable footballer of today is arguably David Beckham, currently plying his trade for LA Galaxy, in Major League Soccer. Over the last decade he has played for, and achieved success at both Real Madrid of Spain, and Manchester United FC in the English Premiership, but his nickname of 'Goldenballs' came about because of a personal reference to him, by his wife Victoria in her autobiography.

Harry Kewell, who currently plays in Turkey for Galatasary, is an Australian winger/attacking midfielder who earned the nickname the 'Wizard of Oz' during his playing career with Leeds Utd and Liverpool FC, in reference to his natural skill and place of birth.

Stuart Pearce is the current coach of the England under-21 team, but during his playing career with Nottingham Forest and England, he earned the nickname 'Psycho' based on his determination and willingness in giving everything for club and country.

Darren Anderton played most of his career with Tottenham Hotspur, but he also graced the sidelines for long-periods due to recurring injuries. The injury-prone midfielder earned the nickname 'sicknote' for his repeated spells away from the game.

Chris Waddle, a former English winger, was given the nickname 'crazy dribbler' by football fans during his spell at Olympique de Marseille of France, due to his ability to dribble with the ball and terrorise opponents.

Other nicknames to befall professional footballers include Mark 'Sparky' Hughes, Paul 'Gazza' Gascoigne, Zinedine 'Zizou' Zindane, Marco 'The Swan of Utrecht' Van Basten, Jack 'Giraffe' Charlton, Gennaro 'Braveheart' Gattuso, Ruud 'The Black Tulip' Gullit, Filippo 'Super Pippo' Inzaghi, Gerd 'Fat One' Muller, Robert 'The Yellow One' Prosinecki and Ole Gunner 'The Baby-faced Assasin' Solskjaer.

Nicknames are commonplace within football, denoting affection, and sometimes, even ridicule towards those who play the game.

Reference; http://www.soccerphile.com/soccerphile/news/nickname s2.html

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