Unlike popular nicknames such as Pato, Ronaldo, Kaka, or Pele which are distinct, many footballers share their names with other people.
We look at those popular footballers who share their names with lesser known football stars.
People who share their parents nicknames are exempted and only the most popular footballers are considered.
1. Luis Garcia
Former Liverpool striker Luis Garcia shares his name with at least ten other footballers. Luis Javier García Sanz who played the likes of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid shares his name with popular footballers like the retired Luis García Postigo who has made a total of 79 appearances for Mexico.
Former Liverpool striker Luis Garcia
He also shares his name with 33-year-old striker Luis García Fernández who plays for Real Zaragoza.
2. Diego Costa
The most popular Diego Costa in the world is the Chelsea striker but he shares his name with 34-year-old Brazillian midfielder Diego Costa Bastos Walsh who is currently a free agent.
And also Brazillian goalkeeper Diego Costa Silva a former goalie for Gabala FC in Azerbaijan is the striker's namesake.
Costa has won two Premier League titles with the Blues
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3. Nemaja Vidic
Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic has a namesake who is a 25-year-old midfielder currently playing for Serbian SuperLiga outfit FK Radnički 1923.
Vidic is a former Manchester United captain
4. David Silva
The most popular David Silva in the world is the Manchester City midfielder who shares his name with a right midfielder from Colombian club Deportes Tolima whose full name is David Macalister Silva Mosquera and Cape Verde’s David Mendes da Silva.
Also a Grêmio Catanduvense striker is named David Macalister Silva Mosquera.
David Silva (in light blue) in action for City against Juventus
5. James McCarthy
James McCarthy, the Everton midfielder shares his name with a 23-year-old who is a striker from the USA. Former Cork City FC goalkeeper James McCarthy who shares the same nationality as the Everton midfielder.
The most popular McCarthy plays for Everton
On the other hand, NAIJ.com recently visited the family house of boxing king Anthony Joshua in Sagamu, Ogun state Nigeria;