Famous Soccer Players and Their Nicknames!

Perhaps the most popular of all football monikers is Pele or the Black Pearl, as the greatest footballer of all times, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is known. Winner of three FIFA World Cups, he was latter dubbed O Rei (The King) for this outstanding achievements. Pele was a name the legend picked up in school, though even he wasn't too clear as to how he got the name! Whatever you call him, he will always be remembered as the ultimate when it comes to football.

If Pele was The King, Germany's Franz Beckenbauer was The Emperor (Der Kaiser). He dominated world football wearing the number 5 soccer shirt in 1974 and later went on to become the national team's coach. His teammate was another legend, Gerd Muller, who gained a formidable reputation as The Bomber for his goal scoring capacity - 365 in 427 Bundesliga matches and 68 in 62 international matches!

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Carrying on with titles both royal and military, Hungarian Ferenc Puskas, was referred to as The Galloping Major! It was the player's actual rank as well as his nickname in the Hungarian army team. This three time UEFA Cup winner with Real Madrid was also dubbed the Cañoncito (Little Cannon) by adoring fans. And then, of course, there was Eric 'The King' Cantona and 'Guv'nor' Paul Ince, who became the first black player to captain England's national team. Brazilian Adriano Leite Ribeiro, was fondly called L'Imperatore (The Emperor) and even 'The Bulldozer' at different points of his prolific career!

Moving on to names more 'beastly', who can forget Brazil's Edmundo, who came to be known as 'O Animal' after his exploits on the pitch! Years before him, the dazzling dribbler Garrincha was dubbed Little Bird, and ended his career as The Joy of the People or Alegria do Povo.

Argentinean legend, Maradona, who made the number 10 soccer shirt a much sought after inheritance, began with the nickname Fluffy due to his untidy mop! Thankfully, he didn't get stuck with the sobriquet, and moved on to an extremely flattering one - The Golden Child or El Pibe de Oro. But when it comes to Diego Maradona can that be enough! He became the only player in the world whose body part has been given a nickname - The Hand of God - after his infamous goal during the 1986 FIFA World Cup!

One of the most interesting pet names by far has to be The Baby Faced Assassin! Norwegian footballer Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, spent his best years at Manchester United, where he scored 126 goals, earning him a reputation as The Baby Faced Assassin for his lethal goal scoring skills, matched with his misleading 'babe in the woods' look!

These diminutives have become so popular, that most fans don't even know their favorite players actual names! Actually, their real names are nothing short of confusing. As a diehard football fan would you know Ricardo Leite is our very own Kaka? Didn't think so! Guess that's why these nicknames have stuck on the players soccer team shirts... Thank God for that!

Famous Soccer Players and Their Nicknames!

FC Barcelona Players - Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry, who was born in Les Ulis, France in August of 1977, is a star footballer for FC Barcelona as well as the French national team. All well-known sporting face, he has fronted ad campaigns for some of the biggest sportswear manufacturers on the planet. Not content to be merely a sports superstar he is also an ardent activist, raising awareness about children and poverty and combating racism in football and the world. Some of his most well known appearances have taken place during the Nike "'Stand Up, Speak Up" campaign.

Although he ended his long association with Nike after the 2006 World Cup, he has enjoyed success with Reebok for the "I am what I am" ad series. This megastar also is enjoying a stint as one of Gillette's featured athletes in the "'Champions Program". During the 2002 and the 2006 World Cup, Henry appeared in a number of television advertisements that promoted football as an activity that should be played for the benefit of young people as a member of the UNICEF-FIFA squad, a team made up of socially conscious professional footballers.

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This six foot two inch striker is known by his nickname, 'Titi', but also by his number, 14. He has had this number since his early days with Arsenal and he was given the number when he made the move to FC Barcelona. He is well known for amazing speed, brilliant moves, and the ability to score decisive goals despite full or one-on-one coverage.

Henry began his football career at a young age in his hometown of Les Ulis. He was already playing for a local club by the age of seven, and went on to play for different youth clubs over the next decade. Among these groups were the US Palaiseau, ES Viry-Châtillon, and Clairefontaine. His father, Antoine Henry, was always his most ardent supporter who has encouraged this phenomenal player from the earliest days.

Henry was first signed by Arnold Catalano, an AS Monaco scout. While Monaco were already aware of this goal-scoring powerhouse, it was Thierry Henry's personality and all around abilities that really sold him. It also did not hurt when Henry scored all 6 goals in the 6-0 game that Catalano was watching. Thierry Henry was signed by AS at the age of 13 and made his first professional debut in 1994 when he was still only 17.

Henry then joined Juventus, before moving to Arsenal, where he gained his fame as striker and in 2007, he joined Spanish giant FC Barcelona Today he is one of football's most celebrated players at 31 years of age: and he has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the European Golden Boot, PFA Players' Player of the Year, runner up for FIFA World Player of the Year, and he has been voted French Player of the year four times. Many coaches and players, as well as fans, consider him to be one of the greatest living football players in the world, and even after his departure for FC Barcelona; the Arsenal fans still voted him their best player ever.

FC Barcelona Players - Thierry Henry

Manchester United FC is Every Football Player's Dream Club

Manchester United FC (Football Club) is one of the greatest football clubs in the world. An English Premier League football club, the home ground of MU is at Old Trafford in Greater Manchester. Manchester United FC was formed in 1878 as Newton Heath and in 1892 the club joined the Football League. Manchester United has been playing in the top division of English football since 1938. The only years it didn't play was in the 1974-75 season.

Today, Manchester United FC is the reigning champions of the English Premier League since they won the 2008-09 Premier League Championship Trophy. It is considered as one of the most successful football clubs in the history of English football. Since 1986, the team has won 22 major honors under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson. In 1968, Manchester United became the first English club to win the European Cup after they defeated Benfica 4-1. They won the European Cup for the second time in 1999 followed by another win in 2008. They finished as the runner-up in 2009. Manchester United FC holds the joint record for maximum number of English league titles and FA cup wins with the former being 18 and the latter being 11.

Chelsea Football Club

This football team is also considered as one of the richest clubs in the world since the late 1990s. Currently, it is ranked as the most valuable as well as richest club in any sport across the world and has an overall estimated value worth £1.136 billion (.870 billion/EUR1.319 billion). Known to its fans as the "Red Devils", the current manager of Manchester United FC is Sir Alex Ferguson and captain is Gary Neville.

The Manchester United club was known as Newton Heath L&YR F.C. in 1878 and went almost bankrupt in 1902. It was saved from bankruptcy by J. H. Davies who was the managing director of Manchester Breweries. The club came to be officially named as Manchester United on 26 April 1902. Davies then changed the club's colors from white and navy to red, white and black, which is symbolic in modern football.

Since 1904, The Red Devils have been winning and losing in different seasons till Matt Busby was appointed in 1945 as the manager. Busby had innovative ideas and they paid rich dividends in the form of the club's performance. Manchester United finished second in the English league in 1947, 1948 and 1949 and won the FA Cup in 1948. The Red Devils went on to win the league again in 1956 and at that time the average age of the players was 22. The players scored as many as 103 goals through the championship. Known as the Busby Babes and led by Duncan Edwards, they went on to win the league again in 1956-57. The team also became the first team to compete in the European Cup. Manchester United on their way to the semi-final defeated Belgian Champions Anderlecht 10-0 and till this day, it stands as their biggest ever win in any competition.

The team was nearly wiped out by the Munich air disaster on 6 February 1958 but what didn't get wiped out was the spirit of the Red Devils. Even today, the clock at Old Trafford shows the time of the crash but since then the team was created from scratch and they went on to win the FA cup in 1963 and the UEFA Champions League in 1968.

Manchester United FC is Every Football Player's Dream Club

Do Football - Soccer Players Get Paid Too Much Money?

I saw the other day a club chief executive moaning about the wages the club pays to the players at the club, I can't remember who he was but it just annoyed me. There he was smoking a big cigar, driving a brand new Bentley, doing nothing for the club, bar taking a big fat pay packet of his own while not actually getting out on the pitch and making a difference for the club.

Now don't get me wrong I think he had a point. There are players at every club that just because they are being paid at all means they are receiving too much. But it's the fact that the people that are telling us players get too much are the ones that are taking money away from the game that makes me think that maybe players are not getting paid too much.

Chelsea FC

Though having said that a lot do get riches beyond the amount their ability deserves. A few examples spring to mind immediately: Robbie Savage, Ok a good player but is he really that good, that he is able to afford to drive a Ferrari? Not in my eyes he's not. He is far too busy play acting for my liking. Then there is Tim Sherwood, Ok he may of won a League Championship medal while at Blackburn but was he really anything other than a good player?

Again I would say no, he was just lucky to be playing in the EPL before the big star influx raised the level of ability needed to make it. but at a time when the big money had entered the game. But in my view the biggest example of an overpaid footballer is Ian Walker, surely the worst 'keeper the EPL has seen, even when he dropped down a flight with Leicester he was no better than average.

However, when you see the likes of Gianfranco Zola, Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho and Pavel Nedved. These are players that make a match worth watching just to see them, it doesn't matter what team they play for it's all about them and their ability to produce magical skills that make your jaw drop in admiration.

Maybe a better answer to the question would be yes some are, but no others are not. Though of course that doesn't make for good headlines when a player signs a new contract.

Lets be honest how many Manchester United fans begrudge Roy Keane a single penny he made from the club? But that didn't stop the newspapers whining about the massive sums he was making, well so what? It is nothing compared to the sums that the likes of Martin Edwards made from Manchester United yet Edwards was not the one out on the pitch knowing that his career could be over tomorrow if he receives a bad challenge.

Sometimes I think its just jealousy that creates these headlines about overpaid players, or maybe its just a complete lack of anything interesting to write that leads to it? Either way I would rather they gave both sides of the story before whinging about it. I mean how about a list of the directors and shareholders of a club and how much they took in wages, bonuses and dividends? So that we can have a reference point to compare player's wages to. I would especially like to know how much the likes of Peter Ridsdale made from Leeds.

To my mind the only way forward is to take clubs back into the hands of the fans, like Wimbledon AFC and FC United. Let's have all their finances completely transparent, and get rid of agent's involvement in transfers. Surely the PFA could offer that as one of their services to their union members, after all they certainly have the money. Surely all clubs need to do transfers between themselves is a solicitor, a representative and an FA, UEFA or FIFA or whoever representative to make sure it is all legal and above board.

I know this will never happen as too many people are busy creaming off money from the game to line their own pockets. But at the end of the day it should be about the fans - the players should all be on performance based contracts so they can earn massive amounts but only if the club does well and the ticket prices should be as low as possible so that as many fans as possible can afford to go.

Still this will never happen because too many people would lose out and at the end of the day football is no longer a sport it is a business and that will unfortunately never change.

Do Football - Soccer Players Get Paid Too Much Money?

Liverpool FC's Greatest Players - Steven Gerrard

At the tender age of 9 young Steven Gerrard joined the Liverpool FC youth academy after being spotted by Liverpool scouts playing for his hometown team, Whiston Juniors. He had trials for a few different clubs including Manchester Utd but eventually signed his first professional contract with Liverpool in 1997.

In his first season he made 13 appearances, often looking out of his depth and nervous. It wasn't until the 2000 - 01 season that Gerrard made a real impact, he scored 10 goals and contributed to the team winning the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup. After a trophyless season during 2003 - 04, Gerrard was linked with a move to Chelsea. He finally turned down the £20 million move and decided to stay at Anfield under new coach Rafa Benitez.

Chelsea FC

Benitez built the strong new Liverpool squad that reached the finals of the Champions League in 2005 against AC Milan. Liverpool had a shocking first half and were 3-0 down, only to turn the scoreline around during six minutes of the second half. Gerrard scored one of the goals and was a huge influence throughout the match. Liverpool eventually won the game on penalties and Gerrard won Man Of The Match. Gerrard turned down another move to Chelsea that summer, even though he was offered £100,000 a week.

In 2006 Gerrard became the first Liverpool player since John Barnes to win the PFA Player Of The Year and scored twice in the FA Cup final against West Ham Utd. He made his 300th Premier League appearance for the club in 2008 and scored the opening goal against Blackburn Rovers. in 2009, Gerrrard was named as The Football Writers Association Player Of The Year.

He continues to play for Liverpool and is currently captain of England. Steven Gerrard is a true Liverpool FC legend.

Liverpool FC's Greatest Players - Steven Gerrard

Famous Spanish Soccer Players

Who are the famous Spanish soccer players of all times? For which team had they played for?

Numerous Hispanic soccer players have gained the limelight in the soccer field. They have proven their worth with regard to the game. They were able to reach to peak of their careers. It did took a while for them to reach it but what matters most is that they were able to make it and gained the trust and admiration by sports enthusiasts.

Some of these players are:

Diego Maradona - Diego Maradona lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He had successfully enthralled both the sports enthusiasts and critics as well. He started playing the game in 1975 and ended his career in November 2001. All throughout his soccer career he has influenced a lot of people including his colleagues. He is considered to be one of the greatest players of all time despite his addiction to cocaine. He has played with six teams, namely: Boca Juniors, Argentinos, Barcelona, Seville, Napoli and Newell's Old Boys. Various names had been called out to him such as Pibe De Oro, The King and Golden Boy.

Raul Blanco - Raul Gonzalez Blanco was born in Madrid, Spain on June 27, 1977. He is a product of Atletico Madrid's youth system. The coach of team Real, Jorge Valdano, started his soccer career at age 17. He idolizes Diego Maradona. Blaco played for Atletico and Real teams. His nicknames were el Pichichidel Madrid (Madrid's Striker), Babysitter and Raulito.

Nicolas Hernandez - Just like Maradona, Hernandez was from Buenos Aires, Argentina. He has been playing since 1999 and still counting. He played with the Colorado Rapids. In 2002, he played with an Italian team but that was just for a short time.

Edson Arantes Do Nascimento - Nicked as Pele; he has been one of the famous Spanish soccer players of all time. Pele was born in Tres coracoes, Brazil on October 23, 1940. He played as goalie for Santos and the New York Cosmos. He had been called as The King.

Chelsea Football Memorabilia Gifts - A Tribute to the Chelsea Players

Chelsea Football Club is a successful English football club that have won many league titles, FA Cups, League Cups etc. The skilled players have won hearts of football lovers in UK and worldwide. For a Chelsea FC fan achieving something related to Chelsea F C is like owning something precious. If you are thinking of presenting something worthy to a Chelsea nut consider the Chelsea Football Memorabilia gifts. The stunning and rare collectibles pay homage to the legendary team. The gifts refresh the images of some glorious events and player's dedication in making the club one of the best.

The Chelsea football memorabilia gifts are collectibles of top quality items that are exceptional and hard to find in any gift shop. For example: Chelsea back to back premiership Champions Presentation, Chelsea Double Cup Winners 2007 Montage, Chelsea Superstars Multi Signed, Chelsea Squad Signed Photo, Chelsea Football Newspaper Book are few to be cited a few. You can find shirts of some legendary players with genuine signatures on it. They are worthwhile as they carry signatures that are authentic. Each gift item has its own unique features and commemorates the squads of Chelsea F C. Chelsea football newspaper book are collection of some original newsprints written by individuals who have witnessed the games and events. This memorabilia book captures moments from an early period of 20th century to the recent past leagues.

Chelsea back to back premiership Champions presentation is some of the special edition is an impressive inset that provide complete details of this historic achievement. This gift is presented in a stunning black wood surround measuring 76x41 centimeter. The Chelsea's F C traditional crest is a ceremonial blue lion holding a staff and embedded on the kits distinctly. It is a fabulous gift for real Chelsea lovers to cherish the value through the years. The shirts are original and personally signed by the squads. The shirts are professionally framed in a metallic silver finish surround. Chelsea football memorabilia gifts are collection of such unique gifts.

For all occasions you can consider the Chelsea football memorabilia gifts because they add zest and make the recipient feel special. Prior presenting any gift, it is creditable to know the recipient's favourite sports persons. To make the gift look more majestic you can engrave the name of the person along with your message.

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5 World Cup Players to Look Out For in South Africa 2010

Here is a selection of players that might have gone under most football fans radar, but who might shine during this summer's 2010 world cup in South Africa. In each world cup some surprises are thrown up and some players get high recognition and are considered more valuable following their efforts on the pitch. We all expect Lionel Messi, Christiano Ronaldo and Robin Van Persie to shine and produce the football and skill we know they can, but who else will catch our eye and who might we be talking about at the end of the competition.

Here are my tips for being a surprise package during this tournament.

1 - Eduardo (Portugal)
Eduardo has come up through the ranks and has been promoted to first choice keeper by Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz. He is not the tallest of keepers standing at six feet tall, but has excellent reflexes and has lots of ability. Eduardo is currently playing for Braga, but expect him to be considered by some of the teams in the bigger European leagues at the end of this world cup.

2 - Humberto Suazo (Chile)
Chile ended their qualifying campaign as the top scores in the South American qualifying league and as such have a very attacking formation. Suazo was the leading scorer for Chile and despite this team not having the greatest reputation in world football got through their group mainly by doing well in their away fixtures. Suazo was a major part in their success, and one to pay careful attention to in this world cup.

3 - Cristian Riveros (Paraguay)
Paraguay qualified through the South American group mainly based on their excellent defensive record and as such conceded just 16 goals in their qualifying matches. Although a midfielder with excellent ball control and touch, Riveros was very much an instrumental part of that defensive unit. Watch him control the ball and set-up plays for Paraguay. He is an excellent marker and is equally good providing assists for the strikers. One very much to watch.

4 - Seydou Doumbia (Ivory Coast)
Doumbia has been playing in the shadow of bigger stars like Didier Drogba and Soloman Kalou who are both at Chelsea, but with Drogba's recent arm injury Boumbia might get his chance to shine and show the world what he can do. He has been scoring freely for his current club side young boys and he will take that free scoring record to CSKA Moscow next season.

5 - Miroslav Stoch (Slovakia)
Stoch is considered to be a rising star of international football. Having been playing on loan for FC Twente, who he helped win the Dutch league this season, he will be offered a new contract with his current team Chelsea.

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Who Are the All Time Greatest Chelsea Players?

A great number of football legends wore the Chelsea blue and plied their trade at the famous Stamford Bridge football ground. Chelsea are now one of the most successful teams in the English Premier League. The club was bought by Russian millionaire Roman Abramovich in 2003 which has led to an influx of great international stars. But who are the fans all time favourites? Here are a few suggestions.

Peter Osgood. 380 First team appearances - 150 goals
Peter Osgood had two spells for the club - 1964 - 74 and 1978 - 79. He played a total of 635 times for Chelsea and is cosidered a legend at the club. He scored a header goal in the 1970 FA cup final replay.

Ron Harris. 795 appearances - 14 goals
Known as 'Chopper' Harris, the hard man defender was an integral part of the team during the sixties and seventies. Feared by strikers throughout the land.

Frank Lampard - Still playing for Chelsea
Frank Lampard forged his reputation as the best midfielder in England through consistently strong displays in a Chelsea shirt. Also a prolific goal scorer, Lampard usually nets about 20 per season.

Gianfranco Zola - 312 total appearances - 80 goals
A firm favourite with the fans. the small but perfectly formed Zola was instrumental in winning big games at the Bridge. An odds on favourite to manage the Blues one day.

Didier Drogba - Still playing for Chelsea
Perhaps not a true blue legend and not always a favourite with the fans. Drogba's goal tally put him up there with the best.

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Football Managers - Improve Your Behaviours and Improve Your Players' Performance

The job of football manager must be the toughest and most stressful management role on the planet. There is no hiding. Your results are immediate - once or even twice a week. Club Boards and fans want instant results. Poor performance is punished ruthlessly and in public. Humiliation is a constant companion.

Under this constant pressure one can understand why many managers rant and rave on the sidelines, on television, radio and in the press. However, they are unaware that their aggressive and insulting behaviour is damning their players to continued poor performance.

In today's competitive world almost all football managers know that at Premier League level most players are equal as far as fitness and skills go. What makes the STAR, what makes the exceptional player is mental fitness. It is mental fitness that wins games.

So why do many managers behave in ways that damage their players' mental fitness? Surely it can only be ignorance (in it's true meaning) - because every manager wants success for his players and club.

So here are seven things a football manager must do to build his/her players' mental fitness

1.Promise openly, right now, never to criticise any of your players in public. Not even if it's justified. You'll do your straight talking in private and if you decide to fire a player you'll do it in the most decent way possible.

2.Tell your players that you like them, that you think they are great players and that you know every one of them does the best he/she can in every game. You trust them.

3.Do whatever it takes to get fun and enjoyment back into the team. People cannot perform at their peak when they're afraid, worried or unhappy. Make having fun your main objective. Work hard - yes! Win games - of course. But let's not beat ourselves up when we make mistakes. Let's get the fun back in our football and our lives.

4.Genuinely praise even the smallest improvement or the tiniest spark of brilliance and praise openly. Especially when things are going badly. Big fires start from small sparks. Really look for things to praise.

5.Stop shouting, mocking and insulting - even in private. Your macho ego may feel good but it does your players no good at all. In fact, they'll subconsciously hate you and will play badly to spite you - and they won't even know they're doing it. Concentrate on helping people do better - not on crushing them with sarcasm.

6.Make it your main goal to help each individual become the best player he/she can possibly be. Be seen to be helping players with their careers. If your club cannot satisfy the playing or wage aspirations of a brilliant player, work with him to find the best transfer possible. Imagine the effect this will have. Players will give you undying loyalty and effort when they know you are there for them.

7.Find ways to keep players' minds focussed on success. Every day - several times a day make statements that predict success and expect success. Do not even hint at losing! Allow time for players to visualise that success - everything comes from a dream.

Yes, some money to buy in talent is helful but it is not everything. Seriously apply these seven rules for two weeks and see your team improve beyond what you ever thought possible.

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