The 5 Best Nicknames In World Soccer

There are a lot of nicknames flying around amongst soccer players and managers alike, but some of them have stood out and are more catchy than others. In this piece, we’ll share some of them.

5. Givanildo Vieira De Souza (Hulk)

We bet you didn’t know his real name until now. He was only known and addressed by the word ‘Hulk.’ The ex-Zenit St. Petersburg and Brazilian forward bears a remarkable likeness to the actor Lou Ferrigno, renowned for his portrayal of the iconic comic book character ‘Hulk‘ in the well-loved TV series.

4. Papa Bouba Diop (the Wardrobe)

The former Fulham and Senegalese midfield maestro had a gigantic figure that intimidated opposition players. However, his dress sense was quite the opposite of what his mammoth figure presented.

3. David James (Calamity James)

The nickname says a lot about James’ football career. He was disappointed a couple of times during his career. His mistakes were too numerous for him to be highly rated, and he never truly lived up to expectations.

2. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (the Baby-Faced Assassin)

The former Manchester United forward had a baby-like face that made him look younger than his age. His most memorable football moment was scoring the winner as a substitute in the 1999 UEFA Champions League final. He later went on to manage the Red Devils.

1. Andoni Goikoetxea (the Butcher of Bilbao)

The former Athletic Bilbao center-back was nicknamed ‘the Butcher of Bilbao’ for his aggressive style of play during his playing days. His infamous ankle-damaging tackle on Diego Maradona nearly ended the Argentine’s career in 1983.