What’s in a Name?

By: Alan | October 30th, 2008

Atlas One of the hallmarks of soccer, or any team sport, is the nickname. From Golden Balls, to Rei, and even Zizou, nicknames are abound on the pitch. Latin football, and perhaps Mexican more than the rest, is full of players with nicknames, at times you can watch a match for 20 mins before the announcers use someone’s actual name. Here then are some of the nicknames on Atlas:

Christian “El Recodo” Valdez – He was granted his nickname by a coach who forgot his name and called him “Recodo” to call him onto the pitch, the name stuck. Recodo is the name of a band that is from Sinaloa, where Valdez was born.

Nestor “Woody” Vidrio – German Garcia started the nickname Woody because he said Vidrio looks like Woody from Toy Story. You be the judge.

Dario “El Pollo” Bottinelli – Pollo means chicken, and Bottinelli was granted this nickname by his father, his son El Pollo III now also carries the nickname.

Gonzalo “El Turbo” Vargas – He received his nickname in Uruguay playing for Defensor Sporting by his teammate Fernando Fadevil, because Vargas is really fast.

Jorge “El Pechu” Torres Nilo – He received his nickname because one of his ribs sticks out a bit. Pechu is short for pechuga, which is a chicken breast.

Luis “El Macue” Robles – He received his nickname when playing in the lower divisions because he comes from Amacueca, Jalisco.

Omar “Harold” Flores – When he first arrived to Atlas, there was a player on America who was named Harold. Flores’ teammates thought he looked like the America player physically and gave him the nickname.

Darwin “El Bebé” Chaves – When he arrived to Atlas, he was the youngest player on the team, bebé means baby.

Ariel “El Japonesillo” Bogado – His teammates think he looks Japanese.

Other nicknames, with no explanation:
Pedro “Tabla” Calderon – Tabla means board.
Ricardo “Rica Adán – Rica can mean mean rich girl, or delicious.
Gerardo “Jerry” Flores – I’m assuming Jerry is English for Gerardo.
Jorge “Pelon” Hernandez – Pelon means bald.
Alfredo “Freddy” Sánchez Cruz – Same deal as Flores, Freddy is English for Alfredo.

And for those interested my nickname is “Huesos” which means bones, I’m very skinny.