Tattoos from head to toe: rules and penalties in football

In the early 2000s, football star David Beckham set the trend that would last through the generations. While in the past the body decoration was often used mainly by subcultures and also prisoners to express belonging to groups, the images immortalized with the needle have also been used early in certain cultures as recognition and also to express special ranks and achievements.

Especially footballers, but also musicians have finally managed to pave the way of small works of art into the mainstream. For this reason, we would like to give you a closer look at the personal moments and things that get under the skin of professional athletes.

Tattoos are totally your thing? Then get inspired by our Pinterest board!

Rules: What is prohibited and can tattoos be punished?

Football is a sport of the community and especially the stars of the sport fulfill a role model function, especially for young fans. For this very reason, explicit tattoos and especially symbols that have negative and adult associations are not welcome.

Depending on the motive, violations of this moral code are dealt with differently. Here, above all, it is also relevant whether the tattoos are fresh or have already been put under the skin before the career.

However, fines in relation to tattoos could be observed in the past, especially in combination with violations of other regulations. For example, Corentin Tolisso, who was a player for FC Bayern at the time, got a new image engraved while he was supposed to isolate himself in the wake of the Corona pandemic. This breach of the rules was punished with a hefty compensation payment.

Lion motif: The king of the jungle inspires the sports world

An undisputedly very popular tattoo motif are lions. Strong, powerful, fast but also elegant, that’s how you see lions. These qualities also find the professional athletes desirable and are inspired by the impressive animal.

Mesut Özil and Marco Reus: Traditional motif on the upper arm

Paired with the saying ‘Only god can judge me’, a roaring lion adorns the upper arm of the German national team player. The motif is meant to give him power and strength so that he can continue to face opponents with pride.

Borussia Dortmund player, Marco Reus has also chosen a lion’s head among many other motifs, including his own name and date of birth. The image is paired with the words ‘the biggest adventure you can take is to live your dream’. We certainly hope that this inspiring message reaches his fans and that he himself is proud of his adventure.

Sebastian Sosa: Lion tattoo after hair loss

After the Uruguayan footballer lost his hair after contracting the Corona virus, he didn’t let it get him down and decided to decorate the new, free body area with a lion’s head. Since then, the animal can be found on the back of the goalkeeper’s head and is hard to miss.

Tattoos on his face?! This football star has dared

The thin skin on the face is particularly sensitive and also exposed to constant UV radiation, which quickly causes fading of ink under the facial skin. For this reason, the tattoos are often avoided. However, the motifs and statements are particularly visible here.

Mario Balotelli: Italian football star for Black Power

This is probably the reason why Mario Balotelli decided to put his personal and political message above his eyebrow. Black Power’ is emblazoned there in a squiggly font and easy for everyone to read.

His stand against discrimination and the positive impact he can potentially have on young people of colour are definitely worth supporting and we understand why Balotelli chose da face as the place for this important tattoo.

Neck tattoos: These footballers have opted for the painful spot

Putting the needle on the neck is neither for tattoo artists, nor for the tattooed particularly fun, because sensitive organs are here very close under the skin and the natural defense reflexes of the body therefore particularly strong. Who decides for a motif on the neck must prove a lot of strength and stamina.

Footballers with tattoos on their necks – Neymar, Boateng and Nainggolan

Brazilian football legend Neymar has had ‘Tudo pass’ tattooed on his neck. The saying is supposed to give him strength and power in difficult situations.

A crown on the neck wears player of the German national team Kevin Prince Boateng. The tattoo was created in reference to his name ‘Prince’ and has primarily a decorative function.

A rose in traditional tattoo style adorns the throat of the Belgian-Indonesian player, who was signed by Inter Milan. Tattoos are a motif that was often used as filler in old-school tattoos. A beautiful rose belongs to the standard repertoire of every tattoo artist.

Tattooed backs: The motifs of the football stars

A particularly large area for extensive tattoo motifs offers the back. Here are often elaborate images brought under the skin. The creative playground, which is offered to the artist on back surfaces often leads to the most unusual creations in the interest of prominent clients.

If you personally have a large tattoo motif in mind, the back is also an option. Alternatively, you can also get tattoos on the chest and stomach, but these areas are almost more painful, depending on the muscle structure and the layer of fat that protects the internal organs.

Jerome Boateng and Leroy Sane: the most famous back tattoos

Jerome Boateng’s back is decorated with his family tree, the hand of Fatima and a portrait. The family tree, which includes 21 names, takes up almost the most space. The Hamsa forms an effective protection against the evil eye and is a popular protective tattoo.

Leroy Sane made headlines not too long ago with his new back tattoo. The reason for this actually lies in the motive, as the player decided to place himself on the football field in full glory on his back. This move raised voices of critics who associated it with arrogance or even narcissism. However, the reason is rather self-love and gratitude for the opportunities that life has opened to him.

David Beckham: Godfather of footballer tattoos

David Beckham can not be missing in a list about tattooed footballers of course. For this reason, we have simply taken the football legend adorned all over his body to the athletes who wear tattoos on their backs, because here Mr. Beckham has immortalized not only his faith, but also his first son.

What’s more, Beckham is the best example against the cliché that tattoos look worse with age, as the footballer is still sought after by women all over the world. If you want to learn more about how to keep your skin smooth and tattoos glowing as you age, check out our skincare section for all the tips and tricks!

Unusual motifs: childhood heroes and comic characters

Tattoos don’t always have to be serious, they can also be casual and fun. For example, when players immortalize their childhood heroes or the characters of their favorite comic series on their body. These colorful and funny tattoos not only add to the exhilaration, but also speak to the character of the players who have chosen something uplifting in the jungle of serious and inspirational motifs.

Footballer for Teletubbies? Daniele de Rossi awakens childhood feelings in the form of tattoos

The award for arguably the most outlandish tattoo in football goes to Daniele de Rossi. There are many memories immortalized on the player’s body in the form of tattoos, but none is as crazy as the Teletubbies on his inner arm.

What at first glance seems like a somewhat strange motif carries for the footballer but a much deeper meaning, because the yellow plush creatures are paired with the name of his daughter and remind him so every time he looks at them. So a personal value can be created even with somewhat wacky motifs.

Late entry, training as photo designer & family cohesion

FIV: As a child, did you like to take pictures and what were your favorite motifs at the beginning?

Julia: I came relatively late to photography, around the age of 20…Before that I didn’t have a camera in my hand and wasn’t very interested in photography although my father worked for KODAK for years.

FIV: What was your career as a photographer like? Where did you get your photography skills from?

Julia: After the Abitur I didn’t know for a long time what I wanted to become. Then I had the possibility to do an internship with a fashion photographer and saw there for the first time a kind of career wish for me. I continued to assist, then did an apprenticeship as a state-approved photo designer, after that I assisted again freely and firmly and finally I became self-employed. My photography skills come from the classical education, I learned analog and then of course from my practical experience during my residency. And of course through many free works.

FIV: Were there people in your environment who were worried that you could not live from your work as a photographer?

Julia: No, fortunately not, or rather they didn’t say it because they saw how vehemently I pursued my career aspiration and that I had a fixed goal in mind. So I was rather encouraged and supported.

Julia about talent, teamwork on set & professionalism

FIV: Is there such a thing as talent in photography or is experience the most important thing?

Julia: Definitely, in my opinion talent is still the most important thing. But talent alone is not enough.
Experience can also be very helpful, but it takes time.

FIV: Nowadays you don’t photograph alone anymore, but with a big team of make-up artists, lighting and of course models. Who organizes the whole thing and how does a day with a shooting at your place work?

Julia: For most of my current jobs I am allowed to put together the team. Here I help myself from my pool of experienced and well-rehearsed people who fit perfectly to the respective shooting.

FIV: Amazon and Hugo Boss have already used your services. With such big clients there was certainly some action around the shootings. Which one do you like to remember best?

Julia: I remember big jobs and also smaller ones. All jobs, no matter how small or big, received the same attention, the same intensive preparation, the selection of the team etc. Not only the professionalism, the concentrated work on the set but also the humanity and the joy during the job play a big role for me.
And so every piece of the puzzle makes a big whole.

Beauty Portraits & Training as a photographer

FIV: You photograph for different industries and accordingly take different pictures with quite different objectives. What kind of pictures do you prefer to make in your private life?

Julia: I don’t really do much photography in private. My favourite works are usually the “beauty portraits”. A mixture of close-up and portrait.

FIV: What would you recommend to a young person whose dream is to become a photographer? Should one proceed differently today than in the past? What do you think are the biggest challenges as a photographer today?

Julia: For me personally it was still important to do the classical training. But that was 20 years ago. As a photographer, I was still allowed to grow up with analogue technology.
I think it’s nice to be able to look back.
It helped me a lot as a foundation and development to master the entrance into digital photography.

Today, the classic job description of the photographer no longer exists. Today the photographer is more of a “content creator”, everything has changed a lot compared to back then.
I don’t want to judge that at all. But the classic photographer from back then definitely has to reinvent himself today.
I think today it is easier for newcomers or autodidacts to enter the world of photography. There are numerous tools. In my opinion, the classical training is no longer necessary. Personality is important to show yourself and your skills.

Julia’s plans for the future: exhibition, book & gratitude

FIV: Finally, let’s talk about your future. What are the biggest goals you want to achieve as a photographer? What are your biggest goals that you still want to achieve in life? Is there anything new on the horizon?

Julia: Photography has always been a dream job for me, I am still very grateful to be able to work as a photographer.
An exhibition would be a great thing. A hardcover book with my best works so far would be great. Apart from that I am open and thankful for everything that will come.