Some footballers have exotic names, some have common names. But some have names that are more complicated; they twist the tongues of even the most astute and experienced commentators and sportscasters, talkless of average football fans.
It is hilarious sometimes listening to a commentator struggling to pronounce the name of a footballer, especially when it has more than four or five syllables. And it isn’t easy for the fans either, with most of these footballers getting a nickname instead.
Prior to the EURO 2016 in France, UEFA made a list of how to pronounce some names with lots of consonants and awkwardly shaped accents.
Here is a list of the top difficult names to pronounce in football
- Przemysław Tytoń – Poland (Goalkeeper)
Tytoń currently plays for FC Cincinnati in Major League Soccer, United States. His name is not very common these days because he no longer plies his trade in Europe but it’s definitely one of the most difficult names in the world of football.
The first name is apparently more complicated than his surname. The “rz” is like an “sh,” creating a problem the moment anyone wants to pronounce it because the first syllable starts with “Psh.”
Meanwhile, the last name is not too hard for pronunciation as the only thing to remember is that the “n” at the end has a little syllable at the end.
Pronunciation: Pshe-‘mi-swaf ‘Ti-ton-yuh
- Sokratis Papasthathopoulos – Greece (Defender)
The Greek plays as a center-back for Premier League side, Arsenal; as well as the Greece national team. Apart from the fact that the name is terribly difficult to pronounce, it also does not fit on the back of his jersey. His last name (Papastathopoulos) means clever and able to accomplish the impossible dream
First of all, his last name is so long and it’s a mixture of vowels and consonants. Also, there are two consecutive syllables that begin with “th”, but both of them are pronounced differently.
Pronunciation: Soh-krah-tez Pa-pas-ta-thoh-poo-lows
- Reza Ghoochannejhad – Iran (Forward)
Having played for Dutch national youth teams and the Iranian national team, Ghoochannejhad is currently on the payroll of Dutch side PEC Zwolle; and he’s popularly regarded as Gucci in Belgium and Netherlands.
His first name is pretty straightforward and sweet while pronouncing, but the second? It’s really a long name, arranged in a frustrating manner for any individual that attempts to pronounce.
Only one of the “h”s are silent, and so is the “j”. However, It’s not that hard if there’s constant practice, really.
Pronunciation: Reh-zah Goo-Chah-ne-had
READ ALSO: Top 15 Funniest Names In Football As At 2018
- Yevhen Konoplyanka – Ukraine (Midfielder)
The first Ukrainian on the list. One would think the name would be very easy to pronounce, his first name actually is easy. But where the problem lies is with his surname.
Konoplyanka is pretty phonetic in its pronunciation, but an attempt at pronouncing is worthwhile.
Pronunciation: Yĕ-ven Kō-nō-‘plē-ang-ka
- Wojciech Szczęsny – Poland (Goalkeeper)
Szczęsny’s name is one name many football folks stylishly avoid. The former Arsenal Goalkeeper is currently Poland’s first choice same as The Old Ladies of Turin, Juventus.
His last name (Szczęsny) means having the ability to learn easily and peacemaker.
His first name is easy compared to the last name. The “w” is a “v”, the “j” is a “y” (but not for the last name), the “i” is an “h” and the “e” at the end is silent.
Then there is “sh” and “ch” in a row but spelled like the “z” are “h”s. None of the “z”s in Szczęsny makes an actual “z” sound, but one of the “s” does.
Pronunciation: Voy-check Sh-Chaz-nee
- İlkay Gündoğan – Germany (Midfielder)
The German international is an intelligent and complete midfielder with numerous strengths who thrives in possession-based teams and can dictate a side’s tempo.
Just like Reza Ghoochannejhad, his first name doesn’t look so bad, but the last name of the Manchester City man has some tough aspects to it. Thus creating controversy and arguments for a section of football fans.
First, the “ü” is not a sound we make very often in English. Also, the “g” does not really make the type of “g” sound we would expect; in fact, one can actually ignore the “g” entirely.
However, this could cause trouble, as there are now two different vowel sounds (ō and ă) together.
Saying it slowly is possible.
Pronunciation: Ēl-kī Gün-dō-an
- Grzegorz Wojtkowiak – Poland (Right Back)
Basically, the first name is Gregor in the Polish Language but could be extremely difficult while pronouncing. While pronouncing the first name, replace the “r”s with “j”s and ignore the random “z”s and pronounce the “g” as “j”.
The last name is obviously filled with a truckload of consonants. To pronounce it, just change the “w”s to “v”s and the “j” to an “i” sound.
Pronunciation: Gje-goj Voit-koh-vee-ack
- Blerim Džemaili – Switzerland (Midfielder)
Blerim Džemaili is a Swiss midfielder currently playing in his country for FC Zurich. Džemaili was born to Fekredin and Shemije in SFR Yugoslavia (now North Macedonia). At age four, he and his family migrated to Zürich, Switzerland where he started his football sojourn.
The deep-lying playmaker has performed in a variety of positions, even as a winger. His football strength epitomizes his last name because according to research, Džemaili means to be determined, eventful, and versatile.
His first name is quite simple, but there’s a slight misunderstanding about his last name. The “d” alongside “z” with the column would simply change to “je” while pronouncing.
Pronunciation: Ble-rim Je-my-lee
- Šime Vrsaljko – Croatia (Right Back)
Named after his paternal grandfather who when he died was buried with his grandson’s Croatia national team jersey.
Vrsaljko is a flying fullback who currently plays for the Nerazzurri, Inter Milan. He’s been tagged as the next Darijo Srna due to his ability to play on both the left and right sides of defense, as well as in midfield.
His first name looks simple, the letter “S” with the sign would be pronounced as “sh”. For the last name, the “r” after “v” could make things worse but requires much patience would make pronouncing it not stressful. The “r” would become “er” when pronouncing while the “j” after “l” becomes “ee”.
Pronunciation: Shi-may Ver-sal-ee-ko
READ ALSO: The Funniest Football Club Names in Nigeria Leagues
- Jakub Błaszczykowski
Jakub was born on 14 December 1985, currently plays as a winger for Wisła Kraków. He has also been a captain for the Polish national team.
He has certainly been successful as he has won two Bundesliga titles as well as an Ekstraklasa title. He is a great passer that is capable of splitting open defenses and can be depended upon to make assists for his teammates.
Known as Kuba, his last name, Błaszczykowski, means having the ability to reach great heights and being dependable.
Although his first name starts with a ‘Ja’, it is actually pronounced ‘Ya’. Also, the ‘u’ is pronounced ‘oo’. As for his last name, even though it is 14 letters, it is only four syllables. Quite simple, isn’t it?
Pronunciation: Ya-koob Blash-chi-kov-ski
Legendary Difficult Names in Football
- *Christophe Nduwarugira
*Panagiotis Tachtsidis
*Pascal Razakanantenaina Andriamirado
*Anatoliy Tymoshchuk
*Aro Hasina Andrianarimanana
*Njiva Tsilavina Martin Rakotoharimalala
*Ronald Tapiwa Pfumbidzai
*Abdul Karim Nizigiyimana Makenzi
*Charles Carolus Andriamatsinoro
*Kevin Großkreutz
