Gustavo Gomes, Bruno Henrique’s tattooist and friend, inks generations of Flamengo players | OneFootball

From Belford Roxo, Gustavo Gomes has become Bruno Henrique’s go-to tattooist and a friend, his work covering scars and celebrating milestones for generations of Flamengo players.

According to Globo.com, his first football client was Chiquinho in 2016 via a barber, leading to Pará, Everton, Vizeu, Thuler and Paquetá. In 2020 the club sent a signed shirt and a supporter membership. Bruno Henrique became a regular from 2019 through barber Marlos, starting with “blessed” on the neck then a rib piece, preferring home visits and offering referrals.

Other clients, some via Bruno Henrique’s recommendation, include Ayrton Lucas, Andreas Pereira, Gerson, João Gomes, Michael, Luiz Araújo and Allan.

Raised amid hardship, Gomes helped care for his brother’s triplets at 10 after their mother left, then moved out at 17. He worked manual jobs before a friend gave him a tattoo machine, later opening his first studio after losing an office job.

At 30 he was shot four times while running an event, breaking his femur and spending three months in bed. He studied with a renowned artist on crutches and honed his realism. His 25-year career has included workshops in Japan and the United States.

Many of Bruno Henrique’s pieces hide marks or scars. One was “suporta” near the injured knee, kept private at first before he scored days later and revealed it. Gomes felt it brought him luck.

After a Libertadores game against Independiente Medellín, a defender’s shirt pull left a scratch, so a small cover-up with his date of birth was added. He has also masked shin marks with trophies won at Flamengo. In this Libertadores he has five goals and two assists in eight games.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”