It seems to be a growing trend among footballers today to adorn their bodies with creative ink art. Perhaps David Beckham is most well known for having an array of different tattoos that adorn his body. However many footballers have followed suite and it seems a growing trend to dedicate a tattoo to your wife or children. So sport.co.uk has narrowed it down to the top ten tattooed men in football… and one woman.
1.David Beckham
Many say that David Beckham has lead the way to the new generation tattooed footballers.
Beckham’s tattoo obsession started with the birth of his first son Brooklyn when he had his name tattooed across his back. Now he has all three sons names tattooed on his back and his wife’s name on his arm in Hindu. He has a number of tattoos including number seven in Roman numerals inked on his arm referring to his Manchester united and England number. All of Beckham’s tattoo art has been done by Manchester tattoo artist Louis Malloy.
2.Daniel Agger
Agger loves tattoos so much that he is a qualified tattoo artist. He already has the phrases Remember You Will Die and Remember You are Human in Latin across his back. When Liverpool was in the running for the title last season he reportedly said wanted to tattoo the whole squad if they won the premiership.
3.Djibril Cisse
His first tattoo was of a very manly rose on his chest, now he has wings on his backs and his daughters name on his neck. Although he has admitted that getting tattoos “really hurts”.
4.Marco Materazzi
He has tattoos on much of the top half of his body including wings on his back and his wife and daughters names. He also has the world cup trophy on his left thigh and his wife Daniela has a matching tattoo on her right arm proving that tattoos are a family affair for Materazzi.
5.Steve Sidwell
Like many of the footballers tattoos Sidwell’s is a sign for the love of his wife. He has his wedding vows, in which he declares his undying love for his wife Krystell, written across his back. It ends by saying "Today I have not just found my partner or my soul mate but I have found my best friend. I will need and love you always.” Above that is a crucifix. Click here.
6.Fernando Torres
Torres has three prominent tattoos. He has the number nine tattooed on his right arm which is obviously his shirt number for the Spanish national team, Liverpool FC and formerly Atlético Madrid. On his left arm he has his name ‘Fernando’ tattooed in tengwar which is the made up language used by Tolkien in the Lord of the Rings. He is obviously a big fan of the books. He also has a tattoo on the bottom of his right leg with the date 7/7/2001 in Latin. No one is quite sure what the date is although there is speculation that it was the first date with his childhood sweetheart.
7.Fabio Cannavaro
He has various tattoos on his body. On the inside of his upper right arm, he has written his daughters name Andrea. On the outside of his arm he has a tattoo of a warrior, perhaps what he thinks of himself. On his right forearm there is a tattoo saying Daniela his wife and on his upper back, there is a tattoo with Chinese characters. On the lower back there is a tattoo saying Christian his son. On his right leg, he has a tattoo of the sun.
8.Stephen Ireland
He has a pair of giant wings on his back. Enough said.
9.Christian Vieri
He has a collection of Chinese symbols on his right arm. He got them for the aesthetic pleasure however was pleased to find out they meant thunder, perseverance and power.
10.Deco
He has a tattoo of ‘Japanese women’ across his back as well as other tattoos on his arms. And it’s not only the boys that are getting covered in tattoos. American soccer player Natasha Kai has a whole arm of tattoos as well as tattoos on her back and torso. (As you can see in the lead image.)
