The Best World Cup Player Names

June 17th, 2006 | by: WC Bob |

From one-name wonders to long names that roll off the tongue, this World Cup is full of players with names that are fun to hear when they are announced on television and even more fun to type when we are liveblogging. Having seen every match thus far, I have developed a certain fondness for players based on their names alone. Here is my very biased list of the best names in the 2006 World Cup.

Loco, Angola,
Razak Pimpong, Ghana
Yaya Toure, Ivory Coast
Jerko Leko, Croatia
Jamba, Angola
Bastian Schweinsteiger, Germany
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Netherlands
DaMarcus Beasley, United States
Lee Ho, South Korea
Franck Ribery (only because he plays for France and you can say “Ribery, Fraternity, Equality”)
Hakan Yakin, Switzerland
Shaka Hislop, Trinidad and Tobago
Fred, Brazil
Alex, Japan
Xavi, Spain

Do you have a favorite name that you think should be added to the list?

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http://australia.worldcupblog.org Matt

I was amused to see 3/4 of the Korea team has the surname Kim. And every Urkrainian is called Andriy.
Dave Hamilton

Good job, Bob, acknowleging LOCO. Not only does he have the best HAIR, but arguably the best name! I also like your favs’ name: the “Black Antelopes” (Angola). Even “Palancas Negras” has a great ring to it, and the kit patch with the antelope head is as good as it gets. I also like “Akwa” of that team. Even the coach’s name — if said with thunderous intonation — Luis de Oliveras GONCALVES, is impressive.

Nicknames are great and can “immortalize” sports figures, e.g. everyone knows who “Klinsi,” “The Kaiser” and “The Bomber” are here in Deutschland.
Ali Siddiqui

I think the best name so far is Fred for Brazil…it’s so out of place! You got such multiple syllablized (is that even a word!?) names! Like Roberto or Carlos…a twist of the tongue and voila a beautiful sounding name. And then there is…fred. :D
http://hooting.yard.users.btopenworld.com Frank Key

Another list of favourite World Cup player names can be found at Hooting Yard:
http://hooting.yard.users.
btopenworld.com
There is also a Tord Grip anagram contest among much else, little of which is football-related but all designed to instruct, edify & amuse
http://hooting.yard.users.btopenworld.com Frank Key

Make that
http://hooting.yard.users.btopenworld.com
See, now the link works
Matt

Howcome no ones mentioned YAPI YAPO of the Ivory Coast, it’s an awesome name!
Mary

This is such a great article and the comments are awesome!

I’ve learned quite a bit and smiled even more!
OmarKhayyam

Yapi Yapi Yapo from Cote d’Ivoire, although apparently, he goes by a more informal Yapi Yapo these days.
OmarKhayyam

Ah, Matt caught our Yapi friend before me. Oh well.
lennongirl

Schweinsteiger is not only tough to promounce for non Germans (I guess), it also translates to “pig climber”, which makes it even better ;)
Trapper

The Portugal reserve keeper goes by the name Quim.

I rest my case.

And like Ali I love it that a Brazilian is called Fred. Here’s hoping for a Barry.
lorenz

Isn’t there a Brazilian named

KAKA

That’s all I have to say.
http://fansattic.blogspot.com Fan’s Attic

funny, i came up with best XI names last night. some the same, some different.
http://fansattic.blogspot.com/2006/06/best-world-cup-names.html
Lola

Fred, Brazil
sure ;)
abercombie&fitch

I like Zinedine Zidane — rolls nicely of your tongue.

Drogba’s nickname — “The Drog”

Thiery Henry — it rhymes

Messi — do i really have to comment on this one?

And ofcourse, the Pimpong guy from Ghana — the guy has an entire sport named after him. how cool is that?
hussein hijazi

hi look all doooods i wold like to tell u that beckham , gerrard , roony , owen ,lampard , j cole , a cole , ferdinand , g nevil , j terry , robinson and more england players are the best and the world cup 2006 is for england
http://www.myspace.com/babygaxiola Argelia G.

Mexico is trying hard but they need to put in much m0re eff0rt if they wanna win. im kinda bummed out on how they are doing.
http://www.myspace.com/babygaxiola Argelia G.

chek me out on
http://www.myspace.com/babygaxiola
http://nono Almeida

well…
Cherundolo – can only rhyme with Chiribolo (don’t ask, go and learn castillian)
Bocanegra – Blackmouth??
Reyna? – still castillian
Hahnemann..and manan manam

and these are american players..with spanish names..odd

ps: castillian, ignorants call it spanish
http://fifa.com faisal yassine

guys the same final game in 2002 will be in 2006 but visversa germany will win 2-0.
just remember that and reply :)
hayley

glad u mentioned fred,brazil he is gonna win it for brazil :)
luca

Hey…
2006 is argentina’s year…
Ger vs Bra Final?
nooo….
Germany will lose to Argentina
My bet is 3-1
luca

funny names?
what about Boulahrouz…
hey did i get the spelling rite?
muzza79

Otto Pfister, Togo coach – Classic!
jb77

The best Kaka (Brazil). (caca is slang for shit in spanish).
Omrito

Italy deserved that cup of 2006 bcz they and fans have been waitin since 1982 ! Totti 3eesh (3eesh means live in arabic)
CZ101

Peter Crouch.
http://yahoo.com david

A dedicated person like me can only go 4 the best players,players like LIONEL MESSI,ROBINHO,C RONALDO,FRANK RIBBERY and V PERSIE including DAVID BECKHAM.PLZ LETS CHOOSE WISELY AND BE SPECIFIC.Ronaldinho could be among the best but he never shiow his skills during the world cup.
“BECKS”
POSTED FROM NAMIBIA(WCE 1ST YEAR)
lello

england were the best in germany but when rooney gets a red card all he team became not strong