Captivating: Leo Messi’s Tattoo Meanings & Where They Are Inked

Tattoos are an artistic, personal way to express oneself. When you take a look at Leo Messi, you can’t help but think that getting tattooed is one of his favorite art forms […other than creating magic on the pitch].

The Barca captain has 17 tattoos total, each with its own meaning, uniqueness and precision detail throughout. Below we outline each of Leo’s tattoos and its significance. The first four are part of our new Leo Tattoo Montage T-Shirt, launching exclusively for our email/SMS subscribers and app users this Friday April 16. The t-shirt will be our latest release in the Messi Studio collection.

1. The Lotus Flower

2. The Crown

His & hers: on the inside of their right arms, Leo and his wife Antonella share matching crown tattoos. These symbolize their strong love for one other: she is his queen and he is her king. We definitely wanted to include this in our new tattoo tee, and in future designs to come.

3. Antonella’s Eye

4. The Rose Window

You may have noticed Leo’s rose window tattoo on his elbow as he does his iconic celebration of pointing to the sky after scoring a goal. This tattoo is placed perfectly, with his elbow point being the center of the type of window seen inside churches and cathedrals. Leo’s in particular is inspired by the Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona. This tattoo is the central point on our new tattoo t-shirt.

5. Jesus

A portrait of Jesus Christ sits at the top of the full sleeve on Leo’s right arm. This piece is a tribute to his undeniable faith rooted in Christianity.

6. Giant Clock Tattoo

What’s the most precious thing in your life? For Leo, despite having presumably everything one could want in the world, he values time and the loved ones he spends it with above everything else. The giant clock is a reminder of the truly important things in life.

7. Timepiece Cogs

Right underneath the giant clock are timepiece cogs. Cogs in a watch help the clock turn its gears. These are probably part of the giant clock piece, relating to the passage of time and how quickly or fast it can go…

8. The Rosary

Also part of the sleeve piece is what may appear as string of beads, which is actually a rosary – an homage to Messi’s hometown of Rosario.

9. His Mother’s Portrait

As demonstrated with his rosary tattoo, Leo hasn’t forgotten his roots. The same could be said with the image of his mother on his back. The portrait of Celia Maria Cuccittini was actually his very first tattoo. It illustrates how much love & admiration that he has for the woman who raised him.

10 + 11. Handprints + Thiago

After his first son was born, Leo got Thiago’s handprints tattooed on the back of his left thigh to symbolize becoming a father. Apparently, people thought the hands represented “Maradona’s Hand of God” goal. So, Leo added Thiago’s name in a heart so that there would be no mistake in who the tattoo was intended for.

12. Birthdates tattoo

At the bottom of his right leg sit the birthdates of the loves his life: Antonella, Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro.

13. Antonella’s Lips

It’s the second time we’re showing this photo, we know. Well, take a look at Leo’s bottom left hip. Those lips belong to Antonella.

14. Football Tattoo

Leo’s dominant left leg has made him become the legend that he is. Fittingly, a soccer ball sits at the top of his left calf. Besides his family, football is the other love of Leo’s life. It has made him who he is, so of course it sits among other important things in his life on his body’s canvas.