Lionel Messi's Tattoos

Many football fans and critics rate Lionel Messi as one of the best players of all time, together with Pelé, Maradona, Cruyff and Di Stefano, and some consider him to be on top of the list. His unbelievable football skills make him a worldwide superstar, and –now— so are his tattoos. Like many celebrity athletes, football legend Lionel Messi has his share of tattoos that he has gradually exhibited over the last few years. Today, Messi has a full sleeve and many more tattoos all over his body, but he did not catch the tattoo buzz until his first tattoo in 2011 when he got a portrait of his mother, Celia, on his left shoulder blade.

Lio’s tattoos have been a subject of controversy among sports fans and tattoo enthusiasts. Some of his tattoo choices, such as the soccer ball tattoo that he got in December of 2014 have been scrutinized by fans and found wanting. Generally, he has had some very good work done, and some that could be better. For the most part Messi has chosen tattoos that are meaningful to him, such as the tattoo of his son’s name, Thiago, on the back of his left leg. If the original tattoo did not turn out as he wished, or maybe even based on fan reaction, he has gone back for enhancements and changed the look and feel of the area with embellishments. The soccer ball, is a good example, where he went back with a flourish and added a sword, his number and other items to fill out the leg area.

It is the arms that caused a commotion on the first half of 2015, some of his best work in many ways. He had one of the windows of La Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona tattooed on his arm to show his affection for the city and team that brought him so much love, as well as, a lotus in bright colors and a portrait of Jesus.

Below we have compiled an exhaustive timeline of his tattoos.

Antonela Roccuzzo's lips tattooed at the base of his stomach.

Antonela Roccuzzo's eye tattoo as part of a sleeve on his right arm.

November 1, 2016 · Messi got a blackout cover up of his left leg half sleeve tattoo, done by Roberto López.

Beginnings 2015 · Messi got a full sleeve tattoo on his right arm. The entire tattoo covers a lotus flower, which symbolizes that talent can grow anywhere even with forces stopping it; a clock, which symbolizes Chronos, the god of time; a rose window of the famous Barcelona church Sagrada Familia, which shows the love he has for the city; the portrait of Jesus Christ on his shoulder, showing he is a very religious person. The sleeve was courtesy of Roberto López. see

December 2014 · Months later he went under the ink gun again to do his leg tattoo more awesome. He inked a heart, two wings, a sword, a football and the number 10, the number of the jersey he wears. The tattoo is courtesy of Roberto López. see

March 19, 2013 · Lionel Messi has taken it one step further by having his son’s hand prints and "Thiago" tattooed on one of his priceless legs. The tattoo artist in charge was Christian Novoa. see

March 10, 2010 · To show his love and affection for his mom, Celia Maria Cuccittini, he has her portrait on his left shoulder blade. The tattoo artist of his first tattoo was Guillermo Villalba. see