Manchester United star Diogo Dalot shared the story behind his surname and how it was “funny” when he realised the roots that it traced back to in his family.
Dalot first arrived at Old Trafford under former United manager Jose Mourinho after the Red Devils signed him for a £19m transfer fee from Portuguese side Porto.
The 24-year-old United full-back remains a key part of Erik ten Hag’s first-team squad and has secured regular playing time in the current campaign.
Dalot has been deployed at both left-back and right-back by United boss Ten Hag this season amid the injuries that the Red Devils have had to overcome.
The former Porto player has started 17 Premier League matches in 18 league appearances for United, with Dalot picking up an assist and also scoring once.
Dalot was in action for United on Monday evening and made an impact by scoring the opener in the third-round FA Cup clash against Wigan at the DW Stadium.
The United defender was praised by his former teammate, with Dalot putting in a stellar display as the club secured their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Dalot on the origins of his name
Dalot was born in Portugal and has represented his native homeland on the international stage at senior level, as well as playing for his country at youth level.
But the Portugal international revealed that his surname is French and is tied to a circus family, whom Dalot believes travelled over Europe before stopping in Portugal.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Dalot said: “I mean, first of all, it’s French.
“Dalot is French, so that’s my only connection with France. But it’s come from four or five generations before.
“It’s actually funny because it was… it comes from a circus family. So, yes, a circus family.
“So, they probably, I’m guessing, that they were doing from all over Europe, and they must have stopped in Portugal for a while.
“But we found out that it was from a circus family and they must have stopped in Portugal, and maybe that’s where it came from, yeah.”
Dalot on Ten Hag at United
Dalot’s future under former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was cast in doubt and the Portugal defender even spent a loan spell out at Italian side AC Milan.
However, Ten Hag has since reintegrated Dalot back into the fold and the United star has credited his relationship with the Dutchman since his arrival from Ajax.
“I mean, sometimes you just click with managers or players or teammates and I think as soon as he came that happened,” he said.
“The way that he sees football, the way that he sees the full-back position, I think it’s suited really well to what I see and what I like as well.
“And I think it was a good match, him, me, and other players – you could see that we had many players that are starting really well since he came as well.
“So, I like to say that it was a good match and I’m hoping it keeps like that.”
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