👀 Spalletti, mistakes, DDR ⚠️ and... Leão: all the tattoos in football 🦁 | OneFootball

The theme these days seems to be tattoos. From Daniele De Rossi's tattoo used by Genoa to announce the former Roma icon as their new coach to the rumored tattoo on Roberto De Zerbi's back: an ode to his Brescia complete with Atalanta's emblem crossed out with a prohibition sign.

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All this while mentioning the Napoli Scudetto tattoo of Spalletti who just landed on Juventus' bench. Meanwhile, news comes in about Rafael Leão who, after the match against Roma and awaiting the away game in Parma, has refined the tattoo that covers his entire back.

In short, it seems like the right occasion to take a journey through the most famous (and also a bit "flashy") tattoos in the world of football.

🛐 Rafael Leão and the tribute to God

It took several months (the work started in February 2024), but finally the masterpiece is complete: a mega-tattoo covering the entire back of the Portuguese Milan player, themed with the phrase running from shoulder to shoulder on Leão: "Only God can judge".

A phrase that also appeared, almost identical, on the side of another great Rossonero, Zlatan Ibrahimović, who recently had it removed with laser: in his case, the phrase was "Only God can judge me". And regarding Ibracadabra, we'll return to him later.

The tattoo was created by tattoo artist Vinicius Candido, who combined various images for his superstar client: the face of the Madonna with a dove, the buildings of the neighborhood where Leão grew up with a sign reading "Vale Chicharos" and the postal code 2845, a roulette ball stopped on number 3, a poker of aces, and the phrase "Take the risk".

⚠️ Coaches and tattoos

They are not exactly "flashy", but certainly two tattoos that are making a lot of noise, and therefore we mention them as current events.

One is a tattoo that in its simplicity made history, that of Daniele De Rossi, the now iconic danger sign with a player making a "killer" tackle on another. 

Almost a trademark for DDR, who made energy in play and tackling his unmistakable signature, and which Genoa is now using to announce him as their new coach.

On the other side, there is Luciano Spalletti who tattooed on his arm the historic Scudetto won while coaching Napoli.

A tattoo that has raised many controversies now that the coach has taken a seat on Juventus' bench.

🖼️ Zlatan Ibrahimović's back

The combination of football and tattoos cannot fail to bring to mind the aforementioned Zlatan Ibrahimović: like Leão, he can boast a back-piece made of various images that come together, held together by the lion's face at the center of his back.

The other images? A Koi carp, a traditional Japanese design, the sacred Buddhist symbol of the Yantra of the Five Deities, Leonardo Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man, and much more.

In short, a back that is almost more of an art gallery, fitting for the grandeur of its owner.

🐐 Vinicius Jr. tattoos the GOATs

Vinicius Junior's back is a tribute to the sports figures who inspired him: winners united by a word, that "Mentality" which completes the tattoo at the bottom.

Thus, on Vini's back alternate two basketball legends like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant (and that "Mentality" can only remind one of the "Mamba Mentality" of the late Lakers champion), but also Dennis Rodman, plus the inevitable Pelé and Muhammad Ali.

All crowned by a number, the 7 which for Vini Jr is a trademark more than just a jersey number.

🇧🇷 Richarlison among the legends

Some have used their back as a way to evoke their idols and some, among the idols, have placed themselves directly in the middle: this is the case of Richarlison, who wanted to tattoo a sort of "Mount Rushmore" of Brazilian football on his back.

At the top appears the name of Pelé, on the left the face of Ronaldo Phenomenon, on the right that of Neymar. And in the middle?

In the middle, of course, is Richarlison himself. The player stated: “Ronaldo was my hero when I started playing football, Neymar is from my generation, but a few years ahead, I wanted to play like him and have the same hair. And then I added myself, because I also inspire myself".

🦁 Politano and the lion's company

A constant theme on footballers' backs is often the lion, or some other large feline. Some examples? Let's start from our league and from Politano, who has a leopard tattooed on his back.

Memphis Depay opted for a lion with a mane decorated - a touch of elegance - with some skulls: a tribute to his Ghanaian origins.

Rodrigo De Paul's lion is instead decorated with more floral motifs.

More classic is that of Enzo Fernandez.

👀 Sergio Ramos covered in tattoos

Another "art gallery" is Sergio Ramos' back.

Among a dreamcatcher with his initials and the phrases "Only those who went hungry with me and stood by me will eat at my table" and "A lion never loses sleep over the opinion of sheep" there is yet another lion (of course) and a heart pierced by several daggers.

📺 Nicolas Otamendi's TV series

Very particular is Nicolas Otamendi's tattoo: instead of paying homage to great champions of the past, the Argentine has tattooed a "collage" of images from his favorite TV series.

From Breaking Bad to Peaky Blinders, from Vikings to Prison Break, there is no doubt that Otamendi spends a lot of time in front of the television.

😅 Leroy Sané's mistake

We conclude with a tattoo that didn't turn out too well, namely that of Leroy Sané. Who has tattooed on his back... Leroy Sané!

The image is of him celebrating after scoring the 5-3 goal for Manchester City against Kylian Mbappé's AS Monaco in 2017: too bad that in the return match the French triumphed 3-1, eliminating City from the competition.

And the player himself has admitted to regretting it, calling it a youthful mistake.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.

📸 ISABELLA BONOTTO - AFP or licensors