Who doesn’t love a good tattoo? Whether it’s an ill-judged love heart on your lower back or something sentimental and deeply personal, tattoos can say a lot about you as a person.
Influential sportspeople are no exception to this, and with them being in the limelight more than they would probably like, their tattoos are often as famous as they are. In this article, we’ll explore eight sports stars with amazing tattoos.
1. Martin Skrtel (Soccer, Retired)
A cult icon in Liverpool, where he spent the most significant part of his soccer career, Martin Skrtel is famous for his wide array of tattoos. Taking inspiration from legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly, Skrtel paid his respects to the great man by having the famous “He Made The People Happy” phrase tattooed across his knuckles.
2. Gianluigi Buffon (Soccer, Parma)
Best known for his many years spent as a goalkeeper at the Italian soccer team Juventus, Gianluigi Buffon is a veteran of the game and so understandably has collected a few tattoos over the years. His most well-known tattoo reads “Live Without Regrets” in Latin, and reportedly reminds him to make the most of his life and enjoy it as much as possible for as long as he can.
3. Mike Tyson (Boxer)
Mike Tyson is famous for many things outside of boxing and his collection of tattoos is certainly high up on that list. Known for his ferocity in the ring, Tyson also is a keen student of history. This is evidenced by the tattoo of Chinese leader Mao Zedong on his bicep, reportedly because he identified with his beliefs and wanted his respect for him to be immortalized.
4. Lionel Messi (Soccer, Paris Saint-Germain)
Arguably the greatest soccer player of all time, Lionel Messi is best known for the time he spent playing for FC Barcelona in Spain. A monster of a player on the pitch, there’s also a gentler side to the Argentine, and his tattoo of his late grandmother, Celina, is proof of that. Located on his left shoulder, Messi used this gesture to show his deep love for her.
5. Neymar (Soccer, Paris Saint-Germain)
As is common with many Brazilian soccer players, Neymar isn’t shy when it comes to having things tattooed on his body. One of the most entertaining players of his generation, Neymar is unlike anybody else on the planet. He also loves tattoos, proven by him having his body covered, including a couple of his favorite superheroes that can be seen on his upper back.
6. Daniel Agger (Soccer, Coach)
A man that you certainly wouldn’t have wanted to mess with during his playing days, on the rare occasion that he wasn’t injured, Daniel Agger is one of the first people to come to mind when you think about tattooed soccer stars. Playing for Liverpool alongside Martin Skrtel, Agger had the club’s famous “YNWA” (You’ll Never Walk Alone) motto tattooed on his knuckles to show his love for the team.
7. LeBron James (Basketball, Cleveland Cavaliers)
Perhaps the greatest basketball player of all time, LeBron James is covered with tattoos, and trying to decipher them all can be a daunting task. One that does stand out, however, is the word “CHOSEN” inked across his upper back, paying homage to his early days as a wunderkind basketball player.
8. The Rock (Wrestler & Actor)
Dwayne Johnson, better known by his ring name The Rock, is an American actor and former professional wrestler who is currently signed to WWE. He’s certainly not shy when it comes to tattoos, with some pretty impressive ones adorning various parts of his body, such as images of bulls on both sides of his chest, and the phrase “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop” across his back, amongst others.
Which Tattooed Sports Star Is Your Favorite?
Deciding on how bold or eye-catching you like your tattoos to be, we’re sure there’ll be plenty of variety when it comes to which one you prefer the most. That being said, all of these stars have had some incredible ink work done and if you have the chance to check any of them out in greater detail, we’re sure you’ll agree with us.