Footballers that have become cartoon superheroes
Here's a list of real-life footballers that have inspired fictional characters in a popular cartoon series 'Supercampeones', such as Oliver Atom and Benji Price.
Oliver Atom and Kazu Miura
This character was created by the cartoonist Yoichi Takahashi and he is the spitting image of Kazuyoshi Miura, the Japanese football hero.
Juan Díaz and Diego Armando Maradona
The Argentinian star has also been turned into a cartoon. Recognised by his crazy hair, Juan Díaz became a hero in the Argentine Nationals.
Roberto Baggio and... Roberto Baggio
This footballer is the only one that appeared exactly as himself in the cartoon series and with the same name.
Alan Pascal and Jorge Valdano
Maradona was not alone in Supercampeones. His 'inseparable' partner in the cartoon series was Jorge Valdano and he accompanied him as the character Alan Pascal.
Karl-Heinz Schneider and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
Schneider was obviously Rummenigge in the series as the character's first name was kept the same, Karl-Heinz. The German captain was one of the strongest rivals for the Japanese national football team.
Rivaul and Rivaldo
The Brazilian footballer, at the time was the world's best footballer, and he also played for Barcelona. The similarity between the two of them is not just in the name...
Roberto Sedinho and Sócrates
The legendary, Brazilian footballer played a minor part in the series and not as a footballer. The 'doctor' appeared in the series as a mentor, friend and trainer to Oliver Atom.
Willem Arminius and Edgar Davids
The midfielder, Dutch footballer was one of the most sought-after footballers in Europe and he appeared in the series as the character Willem Arminius.
Elle Sid Pierre and Emmanuel Petit
The same thing that happened to Davids also happened to Petit. He might not be one of the most remembered footballers today, but he definitely was good during his time. It was for this reason that the cartoonist re-incarnated him as Elle Sid Pierre.
Gino Hernández I and Dino Zoff
The Italian goalkeeper had a strange storyline in the series. Dino Zoff appeared in the first series with dark hair as Gino Hernández I.
Gino Hernández II and Gianluigi Buffon
And again... keeping the same name but this time, but inspired by Gianluigi Buffon. They even lightened the colour of the character's hair in this series...
'La Roca de Kampen' and Jaap Stam
The Dutch midfielder appeared in the series with no name, only the nickname 'La Roca de Kampen' ('The Kampen rock') and Jaap Stam was born in Kampen.
Ricardo Espadas and Jorge Campos
The eccentric Mexican keeper also featured in the series as Ricardo Espadas. They made sure not to forget his outrageous dress-sense.
Hermann Kaltz and Manfred Kaltz
The German footballer is quite a legend in the Liga Alemania and because of this he appeared in the cartoon as Hermann Kaltz.
Ramón Victorino and Waldemar Victorino
Similar to Kaltz, Takahashi hardly changed the name of this character and kept the footballers surname.