Chelsea striker, Nicolas Jackson, has revealed that he was nicknamed Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar in school.
Jackson idolized the iconic footballing pair as a child.
Jackson made a £37 million move from Villarreal to Chelsea in July 2023 and struggled initially.
However, he has been a solid player for the Blues. With nine goals and three assists in 19 Premier League games.
Ronaldo and Neymar inspire an entire generation of young footballers across the world.
In a video shared on social media by the Premier League, players were asked their childhood nicknames.
Jackson said, “I have a lot – Nicks, CR7 (Ronaldo’s nickname), Neymar. They were my idols, so they just called me that.”
Ronaldo and Neymar play for different club sides in the Saudi Pro League.
While the Portuguese football icon plays for Al Nassr, Neymar laces his boots for Al Hilal.
They were both marquee signings for the league back in 2023. However, their careers have panned out quite differently over the last two years.
Ronaldo has been aging like fine wine, with 75 goals and 18 assists in 84 games for Al Nassr, while Neymar on the other hand, returned to action from a long injury layoff recently only to get sidelined again with a hamstring.
