At all times, athletes who dominates or vice versa were linked with interesting nicknames - we present the first 8 still playing or retired, who were more often called by nickname than the real name.

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After finishing his career in 2007, Ole Gunnar Solskjær will remain in the hearts of Manchester United fans forever - for his scent, ability to split defences, and for the final minute goal of the 1999 Champions League finals, which has won the team title. Due to his young look and the threat for the goalkeepers, the current trainer of the Red Devils was called a killer with a baby face.

Dominant center of the NBA league, Andre Drummond, has unusual nickname - Big Penguin. Basketball player love these animals - it was able to see him wearing socks with the penguins decorated, and his favorite films also related to these birds.

Ricardo Quaresma made a big and memorable impression for the fans when he was playing in Portugal so they called him Harry Potter. Not only the fans, but also his opponents was amazed by the magic things footballer did on the court.

It would be difficult to find another basketball player with so many nicknames - it's legendary Shaq. Have you heard of the name of the Great Aristotle? "I am a Pythagorean theorem. Few know the answer to my game. There is no answer to Pythagorean theorems. Well, maybe there is an answer, but when you find it out, I'll have 40 points, 10 rebounds and will plan a festive parade. ”- Shaq said.

Goran Dragic got his nickname from Steve Nash. "When I got into the NBA league, nobody was able to pronounce my last name correctly, so Nash said you will be the Dragon from now on. This will be much easier. ”- said Dragič. Interestingly, Nash, who invented this surname, did not know that a teammate was from Ljubljana, whose city emblem depicts a dragon.

Alessandro Del Piero got his nickname from the former Juventus club owner Gianni Agnelli. He compared his team's strikers with Renaissance artists: "If Baggio (footballer) is Raphael, then Del Piero - Pinturicchio." The famous painter Bernardino di Betto used this name - in the Italian it means "small artist".

The legendary footballer Javier Zanetti has been playing in Milan's Inter club since 1995 till the end of his career in and has just received the nickname "El Tractor" because of his strength and stamina.

Latvian basketball talent Kristaps Porzing has one of the most unusual nicknames in the NBA League - the Unicorn. For her, Latvian can be grateful to Kevin Durant, who, after their first game, was pleasantly surprised by the rookie's abilities: “He can shoot, read the game, defend. Being so tall, he throws the three pointers perfectly. It's very rare. He can also block shots - he is like a unicorn in this league.” The basketball player has even playerd with the adidas Crazy Explosive sneakers which sole was painted with an unicorn image.

 

The best sports and casual shoes - choose yours! ➡ 

 

 
 
 
374/5000
 
 
After finishing his career in 2007, Ole Gunnar Solskjær will remain in the heart of Manchester United for centuries - for his scent and scuba diving, and for the final minute of the 1999 Champions League finals, which has won the team title. Due to his young appearance and the gate of death, the current trainer of the Red Devils was called a killer with a baby.
 
 
 
374/5000
 
 
After finishing his career in 2007, Ole Gunnar Solskjær will remain in the heart of Manchester United for centuries - for his scent and scuba diving, and for the final minute of the 1999 Champions League finals, which has won the team title. Due to his young appearance and the gate of death, the current trainer of the Red Devils was called a killer with a baby.
 
 
 
567/5000
 
 
Latvian basketball talent Kristaps Porzing has one of the most unusual nicknames in the NBA League - Unicorn. For her, Latvia can be grateful to rival Kevin Durant, who, after their first meeting in the court, was pleasantly surprised by the newbie's abilities: “He can throw, execute combinations, defend. Being in such a height, he throws the three points perfectly. It's very rare. He can also block rival throws - he is a unicorn in this league. ”The basketball player has even fought with the adidas Crazy Explosive sneakers, one sole of which was adorned with an unicorn image.