Lionel Messi’s tattoos REVEALED: Inter Miami star has his wife Antonela’s EYE on his biceps, his son Thiago’s hand on his leg and Jesus Christ on his shoulder – here’s what they all mean
Lionel Messi captured the imagination of the American soccer public – if he didn’t already have their attention – during his first handful of appearances for Inter Miami.
The Argentinian sensation has drawn a lot of attention to the MLS and created a stir around Fort Lauderdale.
And it’s not just with the layman, with a litany of celebrities including DJ Khaled, LeBron James, Kim Kardashian and Diddy.
While Messi’s work on the pitch can be classified as an art form, the genius himself has a litany of artwork all over his body.
Here Mail Sport gives you what you always wanted to know; what tattoos does magic Messi have – and what do they mean?
Unsurprisingly, the great Lionel Messi has taken MLS and the American football world by storm
HIS MOTHER
Messi with a portrait of his mother, Celia Maria Cuccittini on his left shoulder blade in 2011
Where better to start with what is said to be Messi’s very first tattoo?
Messi, seen here in 2011, is pictured with a portrait of his mother, Celia Maria Cuccittini, on his left shoulder blade.
THIAGO
Messi pictured in Brazil’s 2019 Copa America, training for the quarter-finals
Continuing with the theme of family, Messi got a tattoo of the hands of his eldest son, Thiago, followed by a love heart with his name on the inside.
Thiago was born on November 2, 2012, leading his father to write in a Facebook post; “Today I am the happiest man in the world, my son was born and I thank God for this gift! Thanks to my family for the support! A hug for everyone.’
Thiago is now 10 years old, and showed his football skills, nutmeg his famous father, during his Inter Miami unveiling.
ANTONEL’S EYE
Messi has a tattoo on his right bicep that appears to be a tribute to his old wife, Antonela
The apple of Messi’s eye is undoubtedly Antontela Roccuzzo, his childhood sweetheart turned wife.
So it’s fitting that the former Barcelona man would have a tattoo similar to her eye on his right bicep.
A story as famous as the Grand Canyon, Messi and Roccuzzo met when he played for Newell’s Old Boys and reunited after he moved to Catalonia to join FC Barcelona.
THE BALL HE CONTROLS
The Argentinian even reserved space on his dynamic left foot for his first love: a football
Messi’s right leg also has the dates of his children and wife inked, plus their names
THE NO. 10
Unsurprisingly, there was room on Messi’s mercurial left foot for the Argentine’s first love.
On his favorite left leg, Messi has a soccer ball and next to it are four dates of birth; his, Antonela’s — followed by his three children; Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.
As if one leg wasn’t enough, Messi decided to also ink them on the lower part of his right leg and ankle.
On the other side of Messi’s left shin and calf is the number 10, which he is now synonymous with
While staying with Messi’s deadly left side, the number 10 is on the other side. However, this was not his first number with Barcelona.
He started wearing the No. 30 in 2004 before donning the No. 19 shirt. It was in the 2008/09 season that he finally picked up the shirt for which he became iconic at the Catalan club.
Messi had another tattoo on his left shin and calf before obscuring it in later years
JESUS CHRIST
Prior to the aforementioned tattoo, Messi had this blue-tinted iteration complete with what appears to be a cross.
Of course, Messi blacked it out, with the number 10 visible only from this original artwork.
The image that stands out on Messi’s right arm is of Jesus Christ wearing a crown of thorns
WATCHES
While Messi’s right arm is filled with a sleeve of several tattoos, the one that stands out the most is on his shoulder.
The image is of Jesus Christ himself wearing a crown of thorns – a powerful and sacred image for Christians.
Messi is Catholic and spoke several times about his gratitude to God after Argentina’s World Cup victory against France.
“I just said God would give it to me,” he told TYC Sports after the win in Qatar. “I was sure I felt like this was the time.”
A closer look at Messi’s arm reveals that he has several clocks, perhaps indicating the role of time
Another angle shows off one of the timepieces depicted on the Argentine’s arm in 2015
CROWN HIM
Aside from the image of Christ, there are several other interesting works of art on Messi’s sleeve, including three flowers and several clocks – perhaps a sign of the preciousness of time.
Obviously, Messi has not discussed whether this is justified or not.
Although the exact meaning is not known, Messi’s wife Antonela has a similar tattoo on her arm
Antonela, seen with her son Mateo at a La Liga match vs. Real Betis in 2016, has a similar tattoo
LIPS
You might imagine that this next tattoo will be seen frequently among eagle-eyed viewers of Messi’s upcoming matches.
The crown tattoo at the base of Messi’s right bicep is most apparent when his arms are outstretched – often after he’s scored.
Some reports have suggested that it is a tribute to Antonela, who has a similar tattoo on her right arm in exactly the same position.
According to multiple reports, Messi also has a tribute to Antonela in the form of her lips
ROSARY BEADS
Although not explicitly seen in this photo, Messi’s lower abs on the left side show lips – as if someone kissed him there with red lipstick.
Maybe they did at some point. In any case, multiple reports suggest it’s another tribute to his striking wife.
A close-up of Messi in 2020 during training in Barcelona, including a rosary tattoo
Another tattoo that has caused some suspicion concerns the rosary on the Argentinian’s right forearm.
Some suggest it is a reminder and tribute to his hometown of Rosario. However, it could point to Messi’s religious beliefs, with the rosary as a central tool of practicing Catholics.