👶🏽 Children's Day special: Football's 'childish' names and nicknames 🇧🇷
In celebration of Children's Day in Brazil, this article highlights professional football players known for their childhood-inspired nicknames. It explores the cultural significance of these monikers within the Brazilian football landscape.
Why it matters
It provides cultural context on how Brazilian sports media engages with national holidays and the personal histories of athletes.
Children's Day, celebrated on October 12, was officially established in Brazil in 1924.
It began with a political and social purpose: to discuss and defend children's rights, health and protection.
And over the years, it took on a strong commercial appeal.
OneFootball is marking the occasion this Monday by looking back at current and former players whose names and, especially, nicknames evoke childhood.
The "Queen of the Little Ones" became a "common" nickname in football.
Former midfielder Cássio Luís Rissardo, now 45, made history in a Mirassol shirt.
He is considered one of the club's greatest legends after EIGHT spells there.
📸Photo: Vinicius de Paula/Agência Mirassol
He also remains the club's all-time leading scorer, with 56 goals.
The nickname came from his "resemblance" to Xuxa Meneghel, with his long blond hair.
Former midfielder Diógenes Alves de Miranda Júnior played for a total of 20 clubs.
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