389: Allan, Everton, Panini 2021/22 Premier League Adrenalyn Trading Card Game

It’s testament to a true footballing legend if they become known only by their surname. Think Beckham, Shearer, Yashin, Puskas and Di Stefano for example. This must obviously be frustrating for anyone with a similar surname, both within and outside of football, as whatever you might achieve there will always be comparisons made with your more famous namesake. It must be even harder when you are known by a single name and then someone comes and usurps you. Ask any 1990s football nostalgic and they will wax lyrical about the former Brazilian striker Ronaldo who scored a phenomenal 352 goals in 518 club games across top leagues in his homeland, the Netherlands, Spain and Italy and a further 62 in 98 international appearances. Yet a certain Portuguese forward with a very similar name is the first Google search result when the word ‘Ronaldo’ is typed in. I guess that’s what 686 goals in 914 club games in your homeland, England, Spain and Italy as well as 115 strikes for your nation (at the time of writing) will do. That and the world’s biggest ego.

Returning to Brazil the number of players known by one simple name is a far more common occurrence and, owing to the Selecao’s success over the years, swells the list of footballing legends. There are the likes of the aforementioned Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho whose shortened monikers come from their full names but also a host of Brazilian stars known by nicknames. Pele’s famous sobriquet apparently came from his mispronunciation of his favourite player Bile’s name in his youth where he also apparently scored a previously discounted 897 goals in kickabouts with his neighbours. Proud parent, fellow goal machine and future politician Bebeto was born Jose Roberto Gama de Oliveira but was referred to by a rough translation of ‘Gift from God’ which would have been slightly more embarrassing if he wasn’t quite as good at the football as he turned out to be. Former Porto and Zenit St Petersburg forward Givanildo Vieira de Sousa is better known as Hulk despite, as previously mentioned on these very pages, looking nothing like Lou Ferrigno. 

These footballing giants, and a whimsical purchase of a pack of this season’s trading cards, led me to wonder about the current crop of Brazilian stars and the origins of their chosen names. Midfielder and scapegoat for all of Manchester United’s recent woes Fred rather disappointingly is just shortening Frederico Rodrigues de Paula Santos rather than celebrating a childhood love of The Flintstones or the 2005 Ashes series. Teammate and histrionics enthusiast Neymar and young Ajax winger Antony are similarly abbreviating their names as is Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson. It does transpire, however, that the Liverpool keeper’s middle name is Ramses which would have been a much more entertaining selection for commentary and the back of his shirt although the name of a ruthless Old Testament Pharoah might clash somewhat with his habit of baptising his teammates in his swimming pool.

Across Stanley Park we find defensive midfielder, and today’s subject, Allan. Once again this is a shortened full name (Allan Marques Loureiro) rather than a tribute to Victorian political reformer and botanist Allan Octavian Hume or Australian cricketer Allan Border. In a period of scattergun attacking signings at Goodison Park the Brazilian has been one of the few positives in the last two campaigns and has provided some defensive ballast to a side who had a tendency to haemorrhage goals. A solid player with a solid name who was spared the indignity of his midfield forbears Kaka and Dunga who were nicknamed due to an inability to pronounce the name Ricardo and the Portuguese translation of Snow White’s mate ‘Dopey’ respectively. The fact this name stuck when the former Selecao skipper grew above average height and masterminded the side’s 1994 World Cup victory speaks volumes.

Despite their historical success in the World Cup the trophy has eluded Brazil since 2002 when the likes of Cafu and Dida (who took on nicknames as tributes to their favourite players from their youth) and Vampeta (a portmanteau of the Portuguese words for vampire and devil) graced the international squad. This creativity has perhaps eluded the Selecao in recent years and might be at the root of their inability to regain the greatest prize in international football. That or their star striker’s issues with gravity and the belief that David Luiz is a competent defender. Nevertheless I’m fully prepared for the likes of Allan, Fred, Antony, Neymar and Alisson to prove me wrong in Qatar later this year.