This Is the Real Reason Why These Football Players Wear Their First Names on Their Shirts

By Johanna Garner
This Is the Real Reason Why These Football Players Wear Their First Names on Their Shirts
This Is the Real Reason Why These Football Players Wear Their First Names on Their Shirts

Have you ever noticed that many players wear their first names on their backs rather than their last? From Dele Alli to Alexis Sanchez, there are several reasons why certain footballers choose to wear their first names over their last name.

This Is the Real Reason Why These Football Players Wear Their First Names on Their Shirts
Sokratis Papastathopoulos: We’ve got to admit, Sokratis is doing everyone a favour by choosing his first name. Also who knows – maybe they’re charged by the letter?
This Is the Real Reason Why These Football Players Wear Their First Names on Their Shirts
Memphis Depay: Having been abandoned by his father at a young age, he prefers to be called by his first name.
This Is the Real Reason Why These Football Players Wear Their First Names on Their Shirts
Alexis Sánchez: In a country where the last name Sanchez may be the English equivalent of Smith, he may have chosen to go by Alexis to set himself apart.
This Is the Real Reason Why These Football Players Wear Their First Names on Their Shirts
Enzo Zidane: Deciding to instead take his first name on his jersey, it helped in the beginning of his career in dealing with the pressure that comes with wearing the name Zidane.
This Is the Real Reason Why These Football Players Wear Their First Names on Their Shirts
Jordi Cruyff: Imagine the amount of pressure that comes with being the son of the legendary Johan Cruyff. We can understand the reasoning behind this one.
This Is the Real Reason Why These Football Players Wear Their First Names on Their Shirts
Clinton N'Jie: We’re going to go ahead and guess this was a strategic play to get himself a little more press during the election cycle. Well played Clinton.
This Is the Real Reason Why These Football Players Wear Their First Names on Their Shirts
Raul Gonzalez Blanco: Like many Spanish players, Raul decided to make things easier by going by his first name. We appreciate it, Mr. Gonzalez Blanco.
This Is the Real Reason Why These Football Players Wear Their First Names on Their Shirts
James Rodríguez: The name ‘James’ is surely less common than ‘Rodríguez’ in Colombia, so we can assume it’s much easier to differentiate him from other players.
This Is the Real Reason Why These Football Players Wear Their First Names on Their Shirts
Kevin-Prince Boateng: If we had the option of being addressed by Prince, we would take it in a heartbeat.
This Is the Real Reason Why These Football Players Wear Their First Names on Their Shirts
Sergio Busquets: As is the case with Raul and other many other Spanish players, Sergio chooses to go by his first name.
This Is the Real Reason Why These Football Players Wear Their First Names on Their Shirts
Lalaïna Nomenjanahary: Take a look at the two names and decide for yourself which one would be easier for commentators to say in the heat of the moment.
This Is the Real Reason Why These Football Players Wear Their First Names on Their Shirts
Dele Alli: Abandoned by his father before his birth, he was placed in a foster home at the age of 13. He opted to take his first name to distance himself from a name he feels no connection to.
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