Chelsea star reveals people nicknamed him Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar

Nicolas Jackson says he idolises Ronaldo.

According to Nicolas Jackson, he was known as “CR7” and “Neymar” as a child since he looked up to the Brazilian forward and Cristiano Ronaldo.

With Chelsea now employing the 23-year-old attacker, the Senegal international has emerged as a senior star in his own right. Last season, he scored 17 goals for them, bringing his current season total to nine in 20 games.

Jackson always aspired to be a player who entertained the audience and produced quality work, drawing inspiration from a few all-time greats. He was compared to former Real Madrid and Barcelona great because of his quick feet and finishing ability as a child.

When questioned about his childhood nicknames, Jackson, who continues to possess a lot of untapped potential in his game, responded to the Premier League’s official media outlets by saying, “I have a lot.” Neymar, Jacko, Nicks, and CR7. They simply called me that because they were my heroes.

Nicolas Jackson reveals his childhood nicknames 😅 pic.twitter.com/d0rOCewTFx

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 12, 2025

The Senegalese-born frontman said back in November 2023 of wanting to emulate CR7: “When I was growing up, I loved Cristiano Ronaldo. I had his name on a shirt that I always wore. Not an actual shirt because they are expensive, so you don’t buy them. But I had a shirt that I put 7, Ronaldo on with a pen. I did it myself when I was a kid.

“Of course, I would pretend to be him, but it was difficult to watch his games because you needed to pay. We would go to my friend’s house, everybody. We would watch in a large group, never just with one person in the house. All my friends, we’d all go to one house to watch Real Madrid.”

Jackson did not have to participate in Chelsea’s 5-0 FA Cup thumping of Morecambe, but he will be looking to regain his starting position for Tuesday’s Premier League matchup against unbeaten Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge.

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