New Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner has revealed that he was named after Brazil’s Ronaldo [Luis Nazario] however his parents gave the name its own twist.
Learner who is on the books of Sekhukhune United has enjoyed a good ending to the season after playing eight games for Babina Noko in all competitions this season including a phenomenal performance in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals.
For his efforts, the 27-year-old has also been called up to the Bafana squad for the international friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique in June.
Leaner told iDiski Times writer Lethabo Kganyago in edition 206 of the newspaper how his mother is such a football fan.
“My mother gave me the name, but she spelt it her way because she wanted to be exact,” Leaner told iDiski Times.
“So, she named me after R9 Ronaldo from Brazil. She’s a Brazilian fan, but she spelt it her way. She didn’t want to use ‘Ro’ — she made it ‘Re’, that’s how my name came about, because my mother is a big football fan.”
The former Maritzburg United keeper however says being named after such a big legend didn’t pressurise him to become a professional player.
“No, it doesn’t have any effect, and there was no pressure growing up, like I have to be a footballer, because I have other things also, I have studies and everything,” added Leaner.
“So, football just came, and I was just good at it. It’s not like I have to because of my family. Basically, out of my family, no one made it professionally. I’m the only one. So, there was no pressure of becoming a footballer, it was just my parents and family who liked football, they are big supporters.”
