“My name is not Fabinho” – Liverpool superstar explains story behind name on the back of his shirt
Fabinho, a midfielder for Liverpool and Brazil, has disclosed that the name on the back of his shirt is not his true name.
The Brazilian’s given name is Fabio Henrique Tavares, but everyone in the footballing world calls him “Fabinho.” His Brazil shirt for the 2022 FIFA World Cup will display same name.
In an interview with Sky Sports, he disclosed that his mother approved of this name change. He stated (through the club’s official website):
“My name is not Fabinho. My name is Fabio – Fabio Tavares – but in Brazil we put ‘inho’ in every name, so they started to call me Fabinho and until today I’m Fabinho.”
The former Real Madrid player added: “I asked my mum when I started my career what she preferred – Fabinho or Fabio – and she said Fabinho, so I stayed with Fabinho.”
It is not uncommon for football players, particularly those from the football-crazed streets of South America, to have a shortened name. After all, it is difficult to conceive a football player named Hulk.
Givanildo Vieira de Sousa was given the moniker due to his likeness to the 1970s television actor Lou Ferrigno, who portrayed the Incredible Hulk. Another example is Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, or simply “Kaka.”
The nickname ‘Fabinho’ is unquestionably exclusive to Liverpool’s No. 3. The decision to end his name with ‘-inho’ appears to have paid off.
Nonetheless, he has not been at his best for Liverpool this season. After being included in manager Tite’s 26-man Brazil squad for Qatar, he hopes to redeem himself in the coming weeks.
“My name is not Fabinho” – Liverpool superstar explains story behind name on the back of his shirt
