Jamaica international, Leon Bailey, has rejected suggestions that he named his son Leo Cristiano after legendary players Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Leo was born to Bailey and partner Stephanie Hope in June of this year.  The player’s recent revelation of his son’s name, however, was what set tongues on social media wagging.  Many speculated that Bailey had combined the first names of football’s top two juggernauts to christen his newborn.  No pressure!

The Bayern Leverkusen star has, however, sought to put those rumours aside, insisting the naming of his young child, despite the uncanny coincidence, had nothing to do with football.

“It has nothing to do with football, but with me and my name,” he said.

“Leo is an abbreviation of Leon. And Leo is the lion – I am a lion. I believe that my son also grows up with the mentality of being a fighter and a leader. And Cristiano is a lovely name that goes well with Leo,” he added.

Little Leo is only six months old, but it appears he is already changing his father’s life for the better.

“Being a father changed me in many ways as a person, but not the way I play football. However, my son motivates me to work even harder.”

Bailey’s Leverkusen rose to second in the Bundesliga table, following a 3-0 win over Schalke on Sunday.