Ivan Toney’s story behind his tattoos: England and Brentford superstar has spent eight months off, while banned for betting, turning his back into art – here’s what it all means as he returns this weekend
Ivan Toney will captain Brentford against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, ending his eight-month absence from football for breaching Premier League betting rules.
The Bees star enjoyed the best season of his career last season, scoring 20 goals in the Premier League before winning the favor of England manager Gareth Southgate ahead of his suspension in May.
And after eight months of reflection away from the football field, Toney posted a simple word on social media on Wednesday confirming his suspension had finally been lifted. ‘Free’.
After such a sensational campaign on the football pitch last season, the England striker will be hoping for little change when it comes to scoring goals. But in terms of appearance there is enough.
Since he last graced the football pitch, Brentford’s talisman has turned his body into art, with a host of meaningful tattoos. Before his ban, Toney’s skin on his back was a blank canvas, but now it is covered with images of the people and places he sought out during his absence.
Toney spoke exclusively to Mail Sport’s chief football writer Oliver Holt this week and was keen to share the reasoning behind each. From his English song to his two young children, the mantra he lives by to the Ten Commandments, Toney’s rich collection of tattoos is bursting with meaning. He has asked that we blur the images of his children on his back.
Full of excitement for his return to the Premier League on Saturday, Ivan Toney has turned his body into art with a host of meaningful tattoos
Explaining his tattoos to Mail Sport, the England forward asked if we would blur the images of his children on his back
FRONT
No. 1272
His English legacy number; he became the 1,272nd man to play for England.
The mask
On his right forearm is an image of a woman removing a mask. There is a smile on the mask, but underneath she is not smiling. There are two sides to everyone and you never know what someone is thinking or feeling deep inside.
‘The day you plant the seed…’
On his collarbone is the phrase: “The day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit.” It’s a metaphor to say that good things don’t happen overnight.
Ivan’s mantra
On his chest are the words: ‘Suffer the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret’. It is a sentence that motivates him to work hard now and reap the rewards later.
On his chest are the words: ‘Suffer the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret’ – the mantra he lives by
The England forward spoke exclusively to Mail Sport’s Oliver Holt at the Brentford training ground ahead of his comeback
Brentford boss Thomas Frank revealed that Toney will captain the Bees against Nottingham Forest on his return this weekend
Fearless
“That goes without saying,” Toney says.
No 17
The number on the back of his Brentford shirt.
Kitten and Tiger
A kitten stares into the water, a tiger looks back. “That’s how you should see yourself when you look in the mirror,” he says.
Family matter
Painted proudly on his torso are his grandparents Elma and Benjamin and son Ivan Jnr.
The lion
The king of the jungle who shows no fear. Ivan explains: ‘Above it there is a little saying of mine: ‘If he bleeds the same blood, never fear him.’
Toney never doubted he would return after his eight-month ban from top-flight football and has vowed to come back even better
He won the favor of England boss Gareth Southgate during the second half of the season and secured his place in the squad
BACK
Time is up
The new ’11:59′ tattoo, written with the words ‘Even the longest days will eventually end.’ It was those words that helped Toney see the light at the end of the tunnel
There’s no place like home
‘My strength comes from my family. We’re all pretty strong individuals and strong personalities.”
Next generation
Toney with his arms around his two young children, Ivan Junior and Ikari.
Sister action
A portrait of Toney and his sisters, Jemma and Jasmine.
Toney said the experience of his ban has put him off gambling “one hundred percent” and that it has been years since he gambled
Toney enjoyed the best season of his career last season, scoring 20 goals in the Premier League prior to his suspension
Like father Like Son
A photo of a young Toney with his arms wrapped around his father, Ivan Snr.
My life, my mess
He’s been punished and Toney says, “I want to own it and get on with it.”
The ten Commandments
Toney, a Christian, still says a prayer his grandmother told him before every game.
Mama’s boy
A young Toney with his mother, Lisa