'CR7 and Neymar!' - Nicolas Jackson reveals strange Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired nickname in tribute to Chelsea striker's 'idols'

The Senegal international has become a senior star in his own right, with the 23-year-old striker now on the books at Chelsea. He registered 17 goals for them last season, while taking his tally for the current campaign to nine through 20 appearances.

Jackson always wanted to be a player that delivered end product and provided entertainment for those in the crowd, with a couple of all-time greats looked to for inspiration. The quick feet and finishing prowess that he displayed as a youngster earned him comparisons to ex-Real Madrid and Barcelona superstars.

Jackson, who still has plenty of potential to unlock in his game, has told the Premier League’s official media channels when asked about his childhood nicknames: "I have a lot. Jacko, Nicks, CR7, Neymar. They were my idols so they just called me that."

The Gambia-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 was not required to play any part in Chelsea’s 5-0 FA Cup demolition job of Morecambe, but will be hoping to reclaim his starting berth for a Premier League clash with in-form Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.