Leon Bailey denies naming son after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and says name ‘nothing to do with football’

ASTON VILLA winger Leon Bailey says his 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.

AP:Associated Press

The winger has faced questions because of the obvious similarity between the names[/caption]

Leon and long-term partner Stephanie celebrated the birth of their first child in 2020.

And having called the little lad Leo Cristiano, he has obviously faced a lot of questions.

But the 25-year-old 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.

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The forward attended Chelsea ace Sterling’s Great Gatsby themed 25th birthday two years ago.

He was also at Bolt’s surprise birthday bash that 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.”