BAYER LEVERKUSEN winger Leon Bailey says his new son Leo Cristiano is not named after Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo
The Jamaican claims the baby’s name is ‘nothing to do with football’ despite the obvious similarities.
Leon Bailey says his and partner Stephanie’s son Leo Cristiano is not named after Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi
The winger has faced questions because of the obvious similarity between the namesCredit: AP:Associated Press
Leon and long-term partner Stephanie celebrated the birth of their first child in June.
And having called the little lad Leo Cristiano, he has obviously faced a lot of questions.
But the 23-year-old has quashed such suggestions, insisting it was a personal choice.
He told German outlet Bild: “It has nothing to do with football, but with me and my name.
“Leo is an abbreviation of Leon. And Leo is the lion – I am a lion.
“I believe that my son will also grow up with the mentality of being a fighter and a leader.
“And Cristiano is a lovely name that goes well with Leo.”
Jamaica international Bailey is also close friends with Raheem Sterling and Usain Bolt.
The forward attended Manchester City ace Sterling’s Great Gatsby themed 25th birthday last December.
And he was also at Bolt’s surprise birthday bash in August which drew criticism in Germany because the sprint legend was forced to isolate the day afterwards.
But Bailey does not regret the decision to celebrate with his good pal.
He added: “Usain has been a very good and close friend of mine for years.
“When in Jamaica I would never turn down an invitation from him.
“He’s a kind of mentor for me, was always there for me in good and bad days.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
