Lionel Messi: The stats, meaning of tattoos of a football icon at 33
By Victor Akuma
The last decade is arguably going to be the best decade for the seasoned Argentine footballer and Barcelona’s talisman, Lionel Messi, for obvious reasons of his achievements and mastery of the round leather game.
Recording 5 out of his 6 times Ballon d’ or victories in the last decade shows his great commitment to the game even though he had major contenders like Ronaldo, Modric, Salah and a number of others.
This article examines the meaning of his 18 tattoos as well as his imperious statistics over the last 10 years.
The Barcelona forward has a total of 18 tattoos inked on his body with each having a distinct meaning.
1. Mother’s Portrait Tattoo
Believed to be mama’s boy, Messi was first inked with his Mum’s portrait on his back
To express his love and respect for his mother Celia, he got her portrait inked on his back. His mother Celia and his brother Matias manage his charitable trust, ‘Leo Messi Foundation’ which was founded in 2007 to help children at-risk situations.
The 33-year-old definitely prioritizes his family over every other thing.
2. Thiago’s Handprints Tattoo
When Messi became a father for the very first time on November 2, 2012, he got the handprints of his newborn baby boy Thiago tattooed on his left calf.
At that time, he even missed the training in order to be with Antonella at the time of the birth of their son.
3. Son’s Name Tattoo
Messi inked his son’s name ‘Thiago’ close to his handprint at the same left calf. This he did to clear rumours making round that the hands represented ‘Maradona’s Hand of God’ goal. .
4. Football Tattoo
All his life Messi has always been someone so dedicated to football so it’s totally not out of place to have himself tattooed the round leather game.
5. Jesus Tattoo
Messi’s right hand bears the tattoo of Jesus’s face with a crown of thorns. This shows how much of a religious person the footballer is. It is also said it is a way of him paying homage to Jesus Christ.
6. Lotus Tattoo
The lotus tattoo is a part of Messi’s full sleeve tattoos and it symbolizes that talent can grow anywhere. The lotus tattoo has several spiritual meanings too. Generally, it symbolizes rebirth, new beginnings, purity, and enlightenment. Recall Messi hails from a small Argentina city called Rosaria. He is a perfect example of rags to riches story and his Lotus tattoo on his arm also explains this.
7. Rose Window Tattoo
The ‘rose window’ tattoo which is a prominent feature of this football star’s sleeve tattoo is inspired by the Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona.
8. King Crown Tattoo
Messi got ‘King Crown’ tattoo for his wife Antonella Roccuzzo who has got a similar tattoo on her right arm.
9. Antonella Eye Tattoo
Messi got his wife Antonella’s eyes inked on his arm. The star has been in a relationship with Antonella since 2008 and have known her since he was five years old.
10. Giant Clock Tattoo
Giant clock tattoo decorates his entire right forearm. Aside this, Messi also got timepiece cogs as well. This truly defines that time is the most valuable thing anyone can spend in his entire lifetime.
11. ‘Timepiece Cogs’ Tattoo
The timepiece cogs tattoos are considered as the reminder of passing time, often reflecting the wish to live in the present moment rather than looking in the past or worrying about the future.
12. ‘Rosary’ Tattoo
Messi got a rosary tattoo that forms the outline of his hometown, Rosario. Messi’s tattoo artist, Roberto Lopez explained that “the initial intention was to create a rosary that depicted the stories of his life through different images. Along with this tattoo, the maps of South American and Europe tattoos are also inked. Not only this, to cover the entire area, to give it a distinctive look, flowers of colour are also inked,” Roberto said.
13. Map of South America and Europe Tattoo
Messi also has map of South America and Europe’ tattoed on his right arm but the exact location of this tattoo on his skin is not known.
14. Number 10 Tattoo
The number 10 is the jersey number of Lionel Messi for ‘FC Barcelona’ and ‘Argentina National Football’ team. Earlier, Messi has the entire sleeve of a dagger with wings and roses pattern which he later got it covered. Now, he has only the handprints, number 10, and football tattoos on his left leg.
15. Dagger with Wings Tattoo
Earlier, Messi had a dagger with wings tattoo covered with a pattern of roses in its surroundings. The football superstar was trolled many times on social media for this tattoo. Much from these controversies, he got it covered. Now, only his son’s name along with the handprints, number 10, and football tattoo is visible.
16. Birth Dates Tattoo
On his left leg, inside the handprints tattoo of his eldest son Thiago, Messi inked the birthdates of his all three sons and his wife Antonella. The birth date of Thiago is November 2, 2012, Mateo’s is September 11, 2015, Ciro’s is March 10, 2018, and wife Anonella’s is February 26, 1988. On his right leg, along with the birthdates, Messi got inked the names of his all three sons and his wife Antonella.
17. Kissing Lips Tattoo
The kissing lips tattoo is the lips of his wife Antonella’s lips. The couple was dating since 2008 and tied knot in 2017, after almost 10 years of dating. Now, they are blessed with three sons, Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro. This tattoo is merely visible as it is located below the waistline of the football superstar.
18. Mateo Tattoo
Messi got the name of his second son’s name, Mateo, inked on his arm who was born on September 11, 2015.
*MESSI’S ACHIEVEMENTS 2010-2019*
16 Times Highest Goal Scorer in all Leagues (2010-2019)
2019 UEFA Champions League UEFA Champions League – 12 Goals
2019 LaLiga LaLiga – 36 Goals
2018 LaLiga LaLiga – 34 Goals
2017 Copa del Rey Copa del Rey
2017 LaLiga LaLiga – 37 Goals
2016 Copa del Rey Copa del Rey
2015 UEFA Champions League UEFA Champions League – 10 Goals
2014 Copa del Rey Copa del Rey
2013 LaLiga LaLiga – 46 Goals
2012 LaLiga LaLiga – 50 Goals
2012 UEFA Champions League UEFA Champions League – 14 Goals
2011 FIFA Club World Cup FIFA Club World Cup
2011 Copa del Rey Copa del Rey
2011 UEFA Champions League UEFA Champions League – 12 Goals
2010 UEFA Champions League UEFA Champions League – 8 Goals
2010 LaLiga LaLiga – 34 Goals
5 Times Ballon D’Or (2010-2019)
2019 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2015 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2012 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2011- Messi – FC Barcelona
2010 – Messi – FC Barcelona
5 Times Best FIFA Men’s Player (2010-2019)
2019 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2018 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2017 – Messi -FC Barcelona
2015 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2013 – Messi -FC Barcelona
2012 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2011 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2010 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2 Times Champions League Winner (2010-2019)
2015- Messi – FC Barcelona
2011 – Messi – FC Barcelona
7 Times Spanish Champion (2010-2019)
2019 – Messi -FC Barcelona
2018 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2016 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2015 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2013 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2011 – Messi – FC Barcelona
5 Times Spanish Cup Winner (2010-2019)
2018 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2017 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2016 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2015 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2012 – Messi – FC Barcelona
6 Times Spanish Super Cup Winner (2019-2019)
2019 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2017 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2014 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2012 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2011 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2010 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2 Times FIFA Club World Cup Winner (2010-2019)
2015 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2011 – Messi – FC Barcelona
3 Times UEFA Super Cup Winner
2016 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2012 – Messi – FC Barcelona
2010 – Messi – FC Barcelona
1 Time Spanish League Cup Winner
2015 – Messi – FC Barcelona
The above are the litanies of achievements by the 32-years-old Barcelona’s playmaker.
Going by his goals per season, he recorded thus:
Goals and Assists by Season
2010 – 60 goals, 17 assists
2011 – 59 goals, 36 assists
2012 – 91 goals, 22 assists (his highest number of goals ever recorded in a season)
2013 – 45 goals, 16 assists
2014 – 58 goals, 22 assists
2015 – 52 goals, 26 assists
2016 – 59 goals, 31 assists
2017 – 54 goals, 16 assists
2018 – 51 goals, 26 assists
2019 – 50 goals, 18 assists
This totals 579 goals, 230 assists. Numbers only the likes of C.Ronaldo have competed with.
