By Louis Smith.
If I were to tell you that Mike, Erick, and Kevin were Brazilian footballers and not three men from the local pub team, you might think I was having you on.
However, the trio are just a handful of Brazilian footballers who go by common English sounding names.
Forget the likes of Pelé, Ronaldinho and Garrincha, and take a look at our Brasileirão XI featuring players with less exotic, plain English, Brazilian shirt names.
Goalkeeper
Jean (Atlético Goianiense, on loan from São Paulo FC)
Fact: Our goalkeeper Jean scores goals – having done so this season with a free-kick against Bahia – which turned out to be the winner.
Left Back
Nicolas (Atlético Goianiense, on loan from Athletico Paranaense)
Fact: Nicolas is an attack-minded full-back, and so far this season, in the ten games he’s played, the 23-year-old has provided two assists.
Centre Back
David (Botafogo)
Fact: The young centre-back made his professional debut in January 2020… He’s not the only David to feature in our side.
Centre Back
Charles (Ceará)
Fact: Charles is naturally a holding midfielder, however, he can/has played at centre-back on occasions.
Right Back
Kevin (Botafogo on loan from Tombense)
Fact: Kevin has become a first-team regular for Botafogo this year – He also shares the name with one of England’s greatest cricketers (all be it with a different spelling).
Image Source: Football Manager 2020
Central Midfield
Erick (Athletico Paranaense)
Fact: 2020 has been a breakthrough season for Erick, and has featured regularly for the Curitiba-based side in all competitions.
Central Midfield
Christian (Athletico Paranaense)
Fact: Like his midfield partner, Christian has broken into the Athletico PR side this season and been a regular in the side.
Left Midfielder
David (Fortaleza)
Fact: The second David in our team joined Fortaleza this season. After a slow start, the 25-year-old has started to pick up his form, scoring four goals in his last three matches.
Right Midfielder
Alisson (Grêmio)
Fact: He has two league winners’ medals after back to back title triumphs with Cruzeiro back in 2013 and 2014.
Image Source: Football Manager 2020
Forward
Mike (Goias)
Fact: After helping guide Atlético Goianiense to Serie A promotion in 2019, Mike made a controversial switch to join rivals Goiás at the start of 2020.
Forward
Fred (Fluminense FC)
Fact: Probably the most well-known player on the list having represented Brazil on 39 occasions. Fred has also won a number trophies without his career, including; Ligue 1 x3, the Coupe de France, Campeonato Brasileiro Série A x2, Campeonato Mineiro x3, Copa do Brasil, Copa América, and a Confederations Cup.