There are some questions or doubts in football that seem unanswered or totally uncovered. These mysteries seem to be left out of football discussions but this article will specifically touch on one of them. 

• Only surnames on the back of jerseys?

• If not, how many players don’t use their surnames?

First, let us talk about where it all began.

Football players began wearing jerseys with names on the back in the late 1920s. It began widespread in the 1960s and 1970s in football and in other sports too. Introducing this helped fans, commentators, match officials to identify footballers with ease during matches. Nowadays, it is a common and regular practice in the majority of football leagues round the world for footballers to have their names shown on the back of their jerseys. 

Now into the questions;

a) Only surnames on the back of jerseys?

It is a common trend for footballers to use Surnames on the back of their jerseys. Footballers normally use their surnames/last names on their jerseys on the field of play. However, surnames are not the only names that can be used on the back of footballers jerseys. Players can opt to use their First names or nicknames on their jerseys in their careers as long as it is approved by the relevant board of the competition you are playing in. From today onwards the thought of ‘’surnames only’’ should completely be eradicated from the minds of football lovers, it is fine to use other names.

b) If not, how many players don’t use their surnames?

Now you know that you can choose to use other names different from your surname in football so long as it is approved but also players who tend to not use surnames always have reasons as to why they do not and they will be discussed in this section.

Well, the list of players who don’t use their surnames but use either their nicknames or first names is quite long. Eight of them will be mentioned in this article and they are as follows;

• Memphis Depay;

  The Former Atletico Madrid forward (now free agent) has always preferred to just have his first name ‘’Memphis’’ showcased on his jerseys. The reason for this action originates from the bitter relationship he had with his father before he was abandoned with his mother. This happened at a very young age (4 years old).

• Saul Niguez;

  Saul is one of the most complete football players in world football. He plies his trade in Spain, playing for Atletico Madrid. He just has his first name ‘’Saul’’ on the back of his jersey, and is frequently referred to by his first name.

• Dele Alli;

  Dele Alli has had his first name ‘’Dele’’ on the back of his jersey since his father left his family in the early period of his career and he didn’t really have a good relationship with mother either. He was brought up by another family in Milton Keynes beginning from the age of 13.

• James Rodriguez;

  The Colombian National Team Captain has always had his first name rather than his surname on his jersey. The main reason why he uses ‘’James’’ on his jerseys is not really clear, however, the name ‘’James’’ is a less known name than ‘’Rodriguez’’. The midfielder is frequently called by his first name.

• Alexis Sanchez;

  This case is similar to Dele Alli’s. The Chile International once had ‘’Sanchez’’ on his jersey during the early periods of his career. Also, in the 2010 World Cup, but started using ‘’Alexis’’ immediately he moved to Barcelona in the year 2011. What’s the reason? There isn’t a clear reason why he did that though.

• Virgil van Dijk;

  The Netherlands National Team Captain, as many have noticed, has just ‘’Virgil’’ on the back of his jerseys. He once had ‘’Van Dijk’’ on his shirt at Groningen but has not ever since. The reason is said to have originated from a bad relationship with his Dad, who was not a present figure for most part of his upbringing.

• Sergio Busquets;

  The former Spain International’s full name is actually Sergio Busquets Burgos, but he prefers to go by Sergio, and that’s the reason it is the name on the back of his jerseys.

• Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez;

  This case shows a footballer who opted for a nickname rather than surname or first name. The Mexican is known around the world by his nickname Chicharito, which means ‘’little pea’’. He also has it on the back of his jersey. This nickname is in honor of his Dad’s nickname ‘’Chicharo‘’ meaning ‘’pea’’.

Wow, you now clearly know that ‘’no be only surnames dey back of footballer’s jerseys as they can choose to either use their nicknames or first name.

Thanks for reading. I hope you found it interesting going through this article.

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