Does Mbappe have tattoos? An in-depth look at football body art
Footballers getting tattooed is nothing new – body art has become ingrained in football culture over the years. But some players still choose to abstain from getting inked for personal or practical reasons. Superstar Kylian Mbappe is one of the most famous examples, remaining tattoo-free even as tattoos continue gaining popularity in the sport. Let‘s take a closer look at the tattoo trends in football and why some, like Mbappe, buck the trend.
Tattoo prevalence in football
While tattoos used to be taboo in football, they‘ve become more widely accepted over time. As the culture shifted, more and more players began sporting ink.
- According to 2008 research by FIFFPro, the global football players‘ union, only 14% of professional footballers had tattoos.
- By 2016 that number had jumped to over 50% having at least one tattoo.
- Today, estimates suggest around 39% of footballers now sport body art.
That‘s still dwarfed by the general population – 30% of Americans have at least one tattoo. But football does seem to foster a strong tattoo culture.
| Year | % of Footballers with Tattoos |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 14% |
| 2016 | Over 50% |
| Today | Around 39% |
Reasons some footballers abstain
With tattoos so popular, why do some footballers still refrain?
Religious and cultural views
- Certain religious groups officially prohibit tattooing, including Judaism and sects within Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism.
- Tattoos remain taboo in Japan, where body art is associated with crime syndicates.
- The Maori people view tattoos as sacred – casual use can cause offense.
This affects footballers – the Japanese national team has no tattooed players. And Brazilian star Neymar covers up tattoos when visiting more conservative countries.
Donating blood
Cristiano Ronaldo cites this as his reason for staying tattoo-free, saying "I don‘t have tattoos so I can donate blood more often".
New tattoos require months of healing before donors can give blood again. For a frequent donor like Ronaldo, avoiding tattoos keeps him eligible more often.
Marketability
Ink-free footballers may have broader appeal for sponsors and endorsements. Brands targeting more conservative consumers may see tattoos negatively.
David Beckham notably used makeup to cover tattoos for a 2002 ad. And Adidas edited out Beckham‘s tattoos in some marketing material early in his career.
Team rules
Some clubs have proposed tattoo bans – like Manchester United under Louis van Gaal. Players with visible tattoos had to wear long sleeves.
And in South America in 2020, top clubs proposed prohibiting new tattoos, claiming body art can project the wrong image.
Footballers with notable tattoos
But many footballers do sport extensive, meaningful tattoos:
Lionel Messi
The Argentine superstar has over a dozen tattoos, including:
- His son Thiago‘s handprint on his left calf. "The tattoo I love the most," Messi said.
- A tribute to his grandmother on his left shoulder. She helped raise him in his youth.
- The numbers 11 and 10 on his fingers, symbolizing his sons‘ birthdays.
Messi only began getting tattooed after becoming a star – waiting until he could afford top artists. His tattoos remind me that even the greats never forget their roots.
Sergio Ramos
The Spanish defender has cryptic number tattoos on his knuckles:
- 35 – Born in 1985, made pro debut at age 17
- +90 – Reference to scoring in stoppage time, like his famous late equalizer in the 2014 Champions League final
- 32 – Joined Real Madrid in 2005 aged 19
- 19 – His jersey number for club and country
Ramos‘ tattoos celebrate key moments in his life and career. The "19" reminds me of his passion and loyalty in representing his lifelong club.
Daniel Agger
The Danish center-back sported a massive Viking-themed back tattoo, covering tribal symbols from shoulder to waist.
Agger described the ink as "a warrior who, with all his might, walks calmly and proudly into battle" – channeling the spirit of his Viking ancestry.
I loved how Agger‘s body art connected him to his cultural heritage. The tattoo captured his strength and warrior mentality as a defender.
David Beckham
The English icon displayed a literal canvas of tattoos – from full sleeves to personalized designs.
- His son Brooklyn‘s name above his collarbone – becoming Beckham‘s first tattoo in 1999.
- Roman numerals marking his wedding date with wife Victoria.
- An angel watching over his sons on his back.
Beckham‘s tattoos always emphasized family. His sons‘ names remind me of his dedication as a father.
Why Mbappe has no tattoos
Kylian Mbappe, the 23-year-old French superstar, has made a conscious choice to keep his body tattoo-free.
While he hasn‘t explicitly commented on his decision, a few factors may play a role:
- His Muslim faith may discourage permanent body art.
- Reflecting his broad appeal, Mbappe likely retains a clean image for marketing purposes.
- Still early in his career, he may wish to avoid future regret over a hasty tattoo.
- He simply may not desire any permanent tattoos at this stage!
Mbappe reminds us that tattoos ultimately come down to personal choice. Today‘s footballers have the freedom to ink bold designs or let their talent speak for itself. With his clinical finishing and blazing pace, Mbappe certainly doesn‘t need tattoos to announce himself!
His tattoo-less example shows that body art doesn‘t define greatness in football. But the many meaningful designs among other stars also illustrate that tattoos can profoundly connect players to their roots and beliefs. Ultimately footballers, like anyone, should exercise their right to proudly express themselves on their own skin – whether tattooed or bare.