Why Most Brazilian Players Use Just One Name 🇧🇷

Unlike most Western nations, where players are known by their first and second names, Brazilian players, as well as some other South American players are only known by one name, often their first name or a nickname.

Such as Ronaldo, Pele, Neymar, Ronaldinho, Vinicius and many more.

This is because in Brazil, it is a symbol of friendliness and familiarity, to only refer to people using one name, and this extends into sport too.

More often than not, they’ll be called by their first name, a middle name, or a nickname. Such as Pele, who’s known worldwide, but I bet you don’t even know his real name.

Last names are much less frequently used, as it is culturally believed that last names are less personalised, and therefore is a less affectionate way of referring to people.