Madrid became the capital city of sport tonight as the Laureus World Sports Awards celebrated its 25th anniversary by gathering the greatest athletes not only of the past 12 months, but of the 21st Century.

Simone Biles and Rebecca Andrade – friends, rivals and Olympic champions from the world of gymnastics – were both winners here; both sides of Spanish football’s great duopoly were represented on the winners’ podium, as Real Madrid and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal were honoured; and Olympic and Paralympic heroes including Mondo Duplantis, Tom Pidcock and Jijang Yuan added a Laureus to their laurels.

Standing alongside the world’s greatest athletes were leaders from the inspirational Lesotho-based football programme Kick4Life, recipients of the 2025 Laureus Sport for Good Award.

25 years after the inaugural Laureus World Sports Awards were held in Monaco in 2000, this special anniversary edition of the greatest show in sports was also a celebration of the growth of Laureus as a unique sporting movement, encompassing the world-famous Awards and the year-round work of Laureus Sport for Good in over 40 countries.

The Awards evening launched a multi-media wave of posts, coverage and broadcast around the world, as athletes, media and bloggers reacted to this year’s winners – each presented with ‘The Laureus’ - the coveted statuette awarded to the winner in each category and the prize the greatest athletes in the world value above all other Awards – voted on by the 69 sporting legends of the Laureus World Sports Academy.

Meetings that only happen at the Laureus World Sports Awards 🤝#Laureus25 | #OnlyAtLaureus pic.twitter.com/I9I2KyulGw

— Laureus (@LaureusSport) April 21, 2025

And this year, the body awarded two additional statuettes, honouring 22-time Grand Slam tennis champion Rafael Nadal and Kelly Slater, an 11-time world champion in surfing.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games were at the heart of the sporting year in 2024, and this year’s list of Laureus winners includes several athletes who added a Laureus to their collection of gold.

It was the fourth time lucky for the greatest pole-vaulter of all time, Mondo Duplantis. He was awarded the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award after being nominated in each of the last three years and is the second track-and-field athlete to win this Award, after four-time winner Usain Bolt.

Still just 25 years old, the Swede shows no signs of loosening his grip over the competition following another historic year. After winning his second World Indoor Championship gold medal in March, Duplantis broke his own world record for a remarkable ninth time in 2024 on the way to gold in Paris, before shattering it again at the Silesia Diamond League meeting the following month. Duplantis received his Award from last year’s winner, Novak Djokovic.

Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, Mondo Duplantis: “I am incredibly honoured to have won my first Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award in the sporting capital of Madrid and to have the great Usain Bolt pay tribute to me, who I follow as the second track and field athlete to win this Award.

“The Laureus Awards are the ultimate awards that we athletes want to win. I know because this is the fourth time I have been nominated – and that proves it’s harder to win a Laureus than an Olympic gold medal!

“I’ll never forget receiving this beautiful Laureus from the great Novak Djokovic – I’m following in the footsteps of giants like Novak, Usain, Rafael Nadal and Lionel Messi. The list of past winners of this Award is like a history of sporting greatness over the past 25 years.

“The Laureus Awards represent something more than sporting achievement. The fact that they are voted on by the 69 world-class athletes of the Laureus World Sports Academy elevates them to another level. These are athletes who know the dedication and commitment that lies behind sporting successes; they have set the mark that athletes like me strive for. To be recognised by them is truly something special.

“Finally, I must also acknowledge Laureus’ broader mission of using sport as a vehicle for change in the world. The work of Laureus Sport for Good has transformed lives around the world, and – as the Awards celebrate its 25th anniversary – it is important to reflect on the enormous legacy that it has created. It’s a legacy I am proud to be a part of.” 

Simone Biles’ breathtaking displays in the French capital saw her named Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year for the fourth time, equalling the record held by tennis great and compatriot Serena Williams – they both also have one Comeback of the Year Award.

Biles called the Paris Games her ‘redemption tour’ after taking a break from the sport, and the most decorated gymnast in history produced a stunning performance, picking up three golds and a silver. One year after winning that Comeback of the Year Award, her redemption is complete.

Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year, Simone Biles: “I’m so happy to be here in Madrid and to receive my fourth Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award.

“I won this Award for the first time in 2017, and Laureus has been a part of my story since then. And I share their belief that sport has the power to change the world. That might be a little girl watching someone like me on television and deciding she can do it, too. Or it could be the incredible work Laureus Sport for Good has undertaken for the past 25 years, all over the world.

“I’d like to thank the legendary members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, who vote for the winners. It must be an almost impossible job, but their unique personal experiences of sport at the highest level gives them an understanding of what it takes to be the very best. Their generation has inspired us, athletes standing here before you. That is why the Laureus Awards truly are the ‘Athletes Awards’ and I am proud to have added to my ‘Laureus’ collection.”

Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade completed her inspirational return from career-threatening injuries at the Paris Games, and she is this year’s recipient of the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award.

Andrade considered quitting the sport in the wake of a series of soul-crushing injuries, including three anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, and agonising rehabilitations. Her long road back to the top was complete when she won gold in the floor competition – a moment memorialised forever by the image of her long-time rival Biles bowing to her as she stood at the top of the podium.

Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award winner, Rebeca Andrade, said: “This beautiful Laureus Statuette represents a huge amount of hard work, of struggle and pain, and also great happiness and one of my most cherished memories – standing on top of the Olympic podium again.

“In the 25-year history of these Awards that have become the ultimate prize for athletes, these stories of resilience have inspired generations of young people. Previous winners of the Comeback of the Year have included some of the greatest athletes of all time, from my fellow Brazilian, Ronaldo, to Simone last year.

“And just as our stories reach every corner of the world, we stand here alongside Laureus Sport for Good as they bring together projects from across the globe which use sport to improve the lives of children and young people.

“Individual sports can be isolating, but Paris showed that camaraderie can exist between competitors, and I was so proud to compete alongside last year’s winner of this Award, Simone Biles. Simone and I are the only two gymnasts to win a Laureus Award, and I hope our stories can inspire anyone who has experienced injuries and setbacks to keep fighting through the many obstacles placed in front of them on the long road to recovery.”

Tom Pidcock is the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year after winning the Olympic mountain bike cross-country title in unforgettable fashion.  

His hopes of defending the title he won in Tokyo appeared all but over after suffering a puncture, but after changing wheels, the British rider staged a stirring fightback to reel in leader and home favourite Victor Koretsky before pulling off a daring late overtake in the trees to win gold against the odds.

Pidcock is the fourth British cyclist to win the Action Sportsperson of the Year Award, following Jamie Bestwick (2014), Rachel Atherton (2017) and Beth Shriver (2022).

🏆 Yuyan Jiang is the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability#Laureus25 pic.twitter.com/7AANKAFYac

— Laureus (@LaureusSport) April 21, 2025

Paralympic swimming superstar Jiang Yuyan collected the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award.

Yuyan was the most decorated athlete at the 2024 Paralympic Games, winning seven para swimming golds from seven events in the pool, matching the feat of Laureus Academy Member Mark Spitz.

The 19-year-old also set two individual world records and was honoured as the flagbearer for the Chinese team at the closing ceremony. She is the seventh Chinese winner of a Laureus after Yao Ming (Breakthrough 2003, Spirit of Sport 2015), Liu Xiang (Breakthrough, 2005), China Olympic Team (Team, 2009), Li Na (Exceptional Achievement, 2015), Xia Boyu (Sporting Moment, 2019) and Eileen Gu (Action, 2023).

🏆 Lamine Yamal is the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year#Laureus25 pic.twitter.com/IvBkTEgvXl

— Laureus (@LaureusSport) April 21, 2025

Teen sensation Lamine Yamal was the recipient of the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award after emerging as one of football’s global superstars.

 As part of the Spain team which won Euro 2024, he became the youngest player to score in the European Championships as well as the youngest to feature in the final and was named Best Young Player of the tournament. He is only the second footballer to win this Award, after Jude Bellingham, the Real Madrid midfielder who won it last year.

Real Madrid are the Laureus World Team of the Year 🏆#Laureus25 | @realmadrid pic.twitter.com/rNMY2QiUbQ

— Laureus (@LaureusSport) April 21, 2025

Bellingham did not go unrecognised tonight, either. Real Madrid are quite simply a winning machine and were honoured with the Laureus World Team of the Year Award after a season in which they won La Liga for a record 36th time, delivered a 15th UEFA Champions League/European Cup title, and defeated rivals Barcelona 4-1 in the Supercopa de España.

The club continued to sweep aside all before them at the beginning of the 2024-25 season, winning both the UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup, an achievement which saw Carlo Ancelotti become Madrid’s most decorated manager.

For 25 years, the Laureus World Sports Awards have seen the greatest athletes in the world share the stage with Laureus Sport for Good programmes that fulfil the mission defined by the founding patron of Laureus at the first Awards: to use the power of sport to change the world. 

Kick4Life is one of over 300 Laureus Sport for Good projects all over the world making a difference in their communities, and they were presented with this year’s Laureus Sport for Good Award in Madrid. Kick4Life uses football to reach at-risk children in Lesotho, promoting health education, life-skills development, gender rights and employability. The inspirational organisation, which was also nominated for this Award in 2022, has reached more than 250,000 young people since it was founded in 2005.

Nominees for the Laureus World Sports Awards are decided by the world’s media, and the winners are voted on by the 69 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy – the ultimate sporting jury. This year, the Academy also included two discretionary Awards.

Rafael Nadal received the Laureus Sporting Icon Award after a year in which he announced the end of one of the greatest careers in the history of professional tennis.  A celebratory video package of his career was specially voiced by Morgan Freeman, who included his own tribute to the Spaniard. This year’s Awards expands on Nadal’s ‘Laureus Slam’ – he is the only athlete to have won the Sportsman of the Year Award, the Comeback of the Year, the Breakthrough of the Year and the Laureus Sport for Good Award.

 Rafael Nadal said, “The Laureus World Sports Awards are important to me. Back in 2006, I won the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award in Barcelona, in front of sporting heroes who had inspired millions of people around the world. Then last year, after twice being named Sportsman of the Year and also winning Comeback of the Year, my foundation was honoured to win the Laureus Sport for Good Award, here in Madrid.”

 “My retirement from competitive tennis made 2024 an emotional year for me, where there were some magical moments like the one in Paris, carrying the Olympic torch. Tennis and sports in general have given me so much; my drive has always been to compete and try my best every time I stepped on the court. Competitive tennis has stopped, and it is time to reflect and to appreciate all the support I receive from everyone – my friends and family, my fans, my fellow athletes.

 “A Sporting Icon? I think that is for other people to decide. But I hope that my career has inspired sports fans beyond tennis. I gave it everything I had. As athletes, we have a unique opportunity to use our influence and inspiration to make a positive impact on the world and as I move into my next chapter, I’m going to hold on to the ideals that I share with Laureus and work with them to achieve the most important thing an athlete can do – changing the world through sport.”

 And Kelly Slater, widely considered the greatest surfer of all time, received the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award. Slater is a four-time winner of the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award and an 11-time World Surf League champion.

The full list of Winners in the Laureus World Sports Awards 2025

The US Open Championships is one of the oldest tennis championships in the world. It is also known as the U.S. National Championship. It is a hardcourt tennis tournament held annually in Queens, New York.

The tournament first started in 1987, which consisted of five primary championships: men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles. The tournament has been chronologically the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of the year. The other three are the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon. 

In 2025, Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to claim his sixth major title and second at the US Open. He also became the second youngest male player in history to claim six major titles.

Let's have a look at the men's US Open champion list from the last 10 years.

1. 2016 US Open Champion | Stan Wawrinka

Stan Wawrinka made a big upset in the final of the US Open 2016 to capture his third Grand Slam title. Third seed Wawrinka defeated top seed Novak Djokovic to win the US Open title for the first time.

The Swiss defeated defending champion Djokovic in the final, 6-7 (1/7), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3. He won over 12-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic in a match that lasted nearly four hours.

Prior to this, Wawrinka won the Australian Open in 2014 and the French Open in 2015. Moreover, after the win, Wawrinka became the oldest player to win the US Open in 46 years. Earlier, Pete Sampras won the US Open at the age of 30.

2. 2017 US Open Champion | Rafael Nadal

Spain's Rafael Nadal, the then world's number one male tennis player, proved his dominance in the US Open 2017 by capturing the title.

Nadal defeated Kevin Anderson of South Africa 6-3, 6-4 in the final in New York to win his 16th Grand Slam title.

Nadal had previously won the US Open in 2010 and 2013 as well. 

3. 2018 US Open Champion | Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic defeated Juan Martin del Potro to win his third US Open title and equalled Pete Sampras' 14 Grand Slam titles. Novak Djokovic, who played the US Open final for the eighth time, won by 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.

Djokovic had also won the US Open in 2011 and 2015 prior to this triumph. That time, he was three behind Rafael Nadal and six behind Roger Federer in terms of Grand Slam titles.

The Serbian player did not play the previous year due to an elbow injury.

Also Read: US Open 2025: Stars to Watch Out– Youth vs Experience

4. 2019 US Open Champion | Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal defeated Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 to win the US Open 2019 title for the fourth time in a marathon match of five sets that lasted almost five hours.

With this win, Nadal captured the 19th title of his career and the fourth US Open title.

Prior to this, he had won the US Open title in 2010, 2013, and 2017. It was his second Grand Slam title that year. Nadal also won the French Open that year.

5. 2020 US Open Champion | Dominic Thiem

The US Open 2020 got its new champion after six years when Germany's Alexander Zverev and Austria's Dominic Thiem both reached the finals of the US Open for the first time.

Dominic Thiem defeated Alexander Zverev 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (6) in the final match of the men's category at the US Open 2020 to capture the title for the first time.

It was the first time, the winner was decided through a tiebreaker.

It was also the first time in sixteen years that the Big Three (Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic) were not included in the Grand Slam semi-finals.

Rafael Nadal did not participate because of the coronavirus epidemic. Federer was on rest after two knee operations, while Djokovic was ruled out for inadvertently hitting a line judge in the pre-quarters.

6. 2021 US Open Champion | Daniil Medvedev

In a match that lasted 2 hours and 16 minutes, Daniil Medvedev defeated Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in straight sets to win the 2021 US Open. This was the first Grand Slam title for the Russian tennis star.

Medvedev won the final match 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

If Novak Djokovic had won the US Open 2021 title, he would have been the first male player to win the career Grand Slam after 52 years. The world number one Serbian tennis star had captured all three of the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and French Open that year. But Medvedev became an obstacle for him on the way to the US Open.

Read Also: Australian Open Winners list (Men)

7. 2022 US Open Champion | Carlos Alcaraz

The then 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz had become the second youngest player in the Open Era after American great Pete Sampras to win the US Open title.

Pete Sampras won the US Open title in 1990 at the age of 19. Alcaraz defeated Casper Ruud to win his first Grand Slam title at the US Open 2022. 

Carlos defeated Norway's Casper Ruud 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-3 in the final of the US Open 2022 to win his first Grand Slam title and become the world number one player for the first time.

With this win, Alcaraz has replaced Daniil Medvedev of Russia to take the number one spot.

8. 2023 US Open Champion | Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic clinched his fourth US Open men's singles title, defeating Daniil Medvedev in the 2023 US Open final.

After that, he also equalled Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 Grand Slam titles. With Roger Federer retired and Rafael Nadal planning to step away after the next season, the era of the 'Big Three' in tennis may be fading, but Djokovic, the last member of that triumvirate, proved his enduring prowess.

The 36-year-old matched Nadal's 22 major titles in Australia and claimed the men's record by winning Roland Garros. A loss to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon made Djokovic ponder a generational shift, but his victories in Cincinnati and at Flushing Meadows reaffirmed his dominance in men's tennis for the time being.

Also Read: US Open Champion: Last 10 years (Women)

9. 2024 US Open Champion | Jannik Sinner

World No.1 tennis player Jannik Sinner won the US Open 2024 men's singles title. The Italian star defeated America's Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 in the final. He became the first male player from Italy to win the US Open title.

In 2015, Italy's Flavia Pennetta won the women's singles title. With this win, Sinner also managed to double his lead to number one in the ATP rankings.

It was the 23-year-old's second Grand Slam title. Sinner also won the Australian Open in early 2024.

Sinner then reached the semi-finals of that year's French Open and the quarter-finals of Wimbledon. He became just the second US Open Men's Singles champion to be born after the year 2000. Only Carlos Alcaraz had managed to achieve the feat before him in 2022.

Read Also: Most Career Earnings in Tennis History (Updated 2025)

10. 2025 US Open Champion | Carlos Alcaraz

The 2025 US Open saw Spain's Carlos Alcaraz dethrone Jannik Sinner as the No.1 Male tennis player in the world. Carlos, who had previously tasted success in the 2022 US Open, defeated defending champion Jannik Sinner by 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to claim his sixth major title and second at the US Open.

With this victory, the 22-year-old became the second youngest to win 6 Major Grand Slam titles in tennis history.

The 2025 US Open was the third straight Grand Slam final meeting between Alcaraz and Sinner, in which the Spaniard took a 2-1 lead over the Italian to end the 2024-2025 season.

Interestingly, Sinner and Alcaraz won all the Grand Slam titles in 2025, with Sinner winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon, while Alcaraz lifted the French Open and US Open in men's category.

Hello and welcome to another weekend of exciting football. 

This is Barnali Debnath, and tonight, we will bring you all the LIVE updates, scores, news and free commentary of the Real Madrid vs Mallorca match in La Liga 2025/26 at the Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid.

Real Madrid are currently at number three on the points table and have won their first two games comfortably. Meantime, Mallorca lost to Barcelona in their first match and then drew against Celta Vigo.

So, sit back and relax as Real Madrid look to dominate the newly promoted club, while Mallorca look to make their stay at the league longer.

Enjoy the coverage.

The US Open is one of the most prestigious Grand Slam tournaments in a tennis calendar year. A title at the Flushing Meadows is a matter of pride for any tennis player. Since the dawn of the Open Era in 1968, the US Open has stood as one of the toughest battlegrounds in tennis. It has been played on hard courts since 1978, making it a true test of speed, stamina, and shot-making. The US Open is not only a highlight of the tennis calendar but also one of the most-watched sporting events in the world.

The tournament has gone on to witness several players crowned as champions. They have had proved both mental strength and physical prowess.

Let's have a look the male and female singles tennis players with most US Open titles.

Also Read: US Open Champion: Last 10 years List (Men)

Most US Open Titles (Male and Female)

10. Martina Navratilova | 4

Martina Navratilova, famous for her attacking game and net play. She was a complete player who could adapt to different conditions and was a fierce rival to Chris Evert. Navratilova’s rivalry with Evert remains one of the greatest in tennis history. 

Navratilova won four of the eight finals she featured in at the US Open from 1981 to 1991. To secure her titles, the Czech-American great beat Chris Evert in 1983 and 1984, Helena Sukova in 1986 and Steffi Graf in 1987.

9. Novak Djokovic | 4

Similar to Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic was also a part of the famous “Big Three,” which collectively dominated men’s tennis for nearly two decades. Djokovic won his first US Open in 2011, defeating Rafael Nadal. He followed this with victories in 2015, 2018, and 2023.

His 24 Grand Slam titles are the most in history, and when combined with the Australian Open, Djokovic has a record 14 major championship titles on the hard court. 

8. Rafael Nadal | 4

Rafael Nadal is often regarded as one of the most decorated professional tennis players in the sport’s history. He holds a place alongside Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the famous “Big Three”.

While he is best known for his phenomenal achievements on the clay at Roland-Garros, the Spaniard has four championships in the United States and a fantastic 4-1 record in the final. Nadal’s first US Open victory came in 2010, defeating Novak Djokovic in the final. His incredible physicality and relentless style of play have served him well at Flushing Meadows, leading to further victories in 2013, 2017, and 2019. 

7. John McEnroe | 4

John McEnroe is another of the great American players who thrived at his home major along with Sampras and Connors. Like Nadal, he made five US Open finals and won four of them. 

He dominated his home turf, winning four titles during the early 1980s. His four finals produced wins against Vitas Gerulaitis, fierce rival Björn Borg (twice) and Ivan Lendl, before Lendl turned the tables on him in 1985.

6. Roger Federer | 5

Roger Federer not only won the US Open five times, but he achieved this feat in five consecutive years. Between 2004 and 2008, Federer won five successive US Open singles titles, a feat unmatched by any player in the Open Era at the tournament. 

From 2003 to 2007, he also won the Wimbledon title five times on-the-trot, a record only matched by Bjorn Borg. No other tennis player has won two separate Grand Slams five times in-a-row.

Also Read: US Open 2025: Stars to Watch Out– Youth vs Experience

5. Pete Sampras | 5

Pete Sampras was known for his serve, often considered the greatest in the history of tennis. He won US Open five times (1990, 1993, 1995-96, 2002). In a fairytale ending, Sampras’ 2002 US Open victory was the final match of his 15-year career. Sampras’ thunderous serve and fearless net play made him nearly unstoppable in New York.

4. Steffi Graf | 5

Steffi Graf prevailed in five of the eight title matches she contested at the US Open between 1987 and 1996. For her championship match victories, the German icon overcame Gabriela Sabatini in 1988, Navratilova in 1989, Sukova in 1993, and Monica Seles in 1995 and 1996.

3. Jimmy Connors | 5

The fierce Jimmy Connors won eight major singles championships, which included a joint-record five US Opens. His five US Open titles were won across three different surfaces: grass, clay, and hard courts. He finished as the year-end No.1 five times in his career.

2. Serena Williams | 6

Serena Williams claimed six titles from the nine finals she reached at her home Grand Slam across a 20-year period from 1999 to 2019. In her successful title matches, Williams downed Martina Hingis in 1999, Venus Williams in 2002, Jelena Jankovic in 2008, Victoria Azarenka in 2012 and 2013, and Caroline Wozniacki in 2014.

Also Read: US Open Champion: Last 10 years list (Women)

1. Chris Evert | 6

Evert was the first woman to win more than three US Open titles in the Open Era. She won six of the nine championship matches she competed in between 1975 and 1984. For her wins in finals, Evert defeated Goolagong in 1975 and 1976, Wendy Turnbull in 1977, Pam Shriver in 1978 and Hana Mandlikova in 1980 and 1982. 

The American legend is the only woman to win the US Open on different surfaces: green clay (1975-1977) and hard courts (1978, 1980 and 1982).

Hello and welcome to our LIVE blog coverage of the highly anticipated La Liga clash between Levante and FC Barcelona for the 2025-26 season.

I’m Barnali Debnath, bringing you minute-by-minute updates, expert commentary, and all the latest news from this exciting encounter.

Both teams are eager to make a strong statement early in the campaign, with Levante aiming to leverage their home advantage and Barcelona looking to assert their dominance with their star-studded lineup.

Stay tuned here for live scores, tactical insights, key moments, and post-match analysis as the drama unfolds on the pitch.

Whether you’re a die-hard supporter or a neutral fan, this is your go-to spot for comprehensive coverage of Levante vs FC Barcelona!

As the most popular sport, football is watched and played by people all over the country, ranging from professional leagues, to youth teams, and even families in their yards. But how much do you really know about your favourite footballers? Do you know many famous footballers actually don't use their real names in their professional careers?

Many footballers' real names are distinctly different from what are effectively stage names they use for their professional careers. Many figures even choose to go by relatively shorter names to make it easier for people all over the world to remember them by.

Let’s go ahead and dive into some real names of famous footballers you probably don't know.

Also Read: 15 football records that might ever be broken

Real Names of Famous Footballers

1. Dele Alli

• Real Name- Bamidele Jermaine Alli

Dele Alli's full name is Bamidele Jermaine Alli. He does not use his full name professionally and instead goes by "Dele Alli". Dele Alli used to be a big name in the round leather game some years back. When he was 20, he was already considered as English football’s biggest rising star.

2. Raphinha

• Real Name- Raphael Dias Belloli

Raphinha's full name is 'Raphael Dias Belloli'. He does not use his full name professionally and instead goes by Raphinha. Raphinha is known for his skills in dribbling, pace, and creativity on the field. He currently plays as a winger for Leeds United in the English Premier League.

3. Moises Caicedo

• Real Name- Moisés Isaac Caicedo Corozo

Caicedo's real name is  'Moisés Isaac Caicedo Corozo'. He is an Ecuadorian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for the English club Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion and for the national team of Ecuador. He is a versatile player with ability to control the tempo of the game.

4. Cole Palmer

• Real Name- Cole Jermaine Palmer

Cole Palmer's full name is 'Cole Jermaine Palmer'. He is regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in the world. The English footballer plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Premier League club Chelsea and the England national team.

Also Read: Most International Goals by Active Players (2025)

5. Kaka

• Real Name- Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite

Kaka is arguably one of the defining footballers of his generation. The Brazilian was the last player to win a Ballon d'Or before the decade-long duopoly between Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Kaka has several major honours to his name, including a FIFA World Cup, a UEFA Champions League, and an endless list of individual awards.

6. Van Gaal

• Real Name- Aloysius Paulus Maria van Gaal

Van Gaal's full name is Aloysius Paulus Maria 'Louis' van Gaal. To some, He's one of the best managers of the past two decades, willing to sacrifice style for substance and flair for formality. To others, he’s an unnerving disciplinarian, an expert at alienating his players and fans. Whatever side of the fence you fall, few will doubt that Louis van Gaal is one of the most pragmatic managers in the modern game.

7. Fikayo Tomori

• Real Name- Oluwafikayomi Oluwadamilola Tomori

Oluwafikayomi Oluwadamilola "Fikayo" Tomori is an English professional footballer known for his defensive skill as a center-back, currently playing for Serie A club AC Milan and the England national team.

8. Cristiano Ronaldo

• Real Name- Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro

Cristiano Ronaldo aka Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro is still plying his trade in the professional game for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. However, he is already considered one of the greatest players of all time. Ronaldo has won five Ballon d'Or awards in his illustrious career, which is a record only bettered by a certain Argentine forward.

Also Read: 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World [2025]

9. Bukayo Saka

• Real Name- Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka

Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka is an English professional footballer who plays as a right winger for Premier League club Arsenal and the England national team. He is often hailed as one of the greatest football players in the world. 

10. Lamine Yamal

• Real Name- Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana

Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana, also known as Lamine Yamal, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a right winger for La Liga club Barcelona and the Spain national team. 

11. Pepe

• Real Name- Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira

Former Real Madrid star Pepe is quite commonly regarded as one of the best and most aggressive defenders of his time. The centre-back is still playing European football at the age of 38, and put in a string of magnificent displays in the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League. The Portuguese rolled back the years against Cristiano Ronaldo's Juventus with a breathtaking showing to knock them out of the UCL.