Professional football players at the top end of the game earn a significant amount of money. We are talking over £100,000 per week and coupled with bonuses, plus image rights. The best footballers in the world are making millions every season. The question is, on what do they spend their vast sums of money? Cards, clothes, vehicles, property, and vacations are some of the most common things, but some footballers also like to spend their money on tattoos. Below, you can find out more about the iconic tattoos of famous footballers and the meanings behind them.

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic does not seem to physically age and at 40 years old, he is still playing for AC Milan in the Italian Serie A. The former Swedish international has played for many of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Ajax, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Juventus, Inter Milan, and Manchester United. Ibrahimovic has several tattoos on his body but one of his most iconic ones is the large tattoo of a roaring lion on his back. The nose of the lion is a Buddhist symbol known as the Five Deva Faces Yantra, and the design is just phenomenal.

Daniele De Rossi

Ask any Roma fan to name a legend of the club and Daniele De Rossi’s name will be up there alongside that of Francesco Totti. De Rossi played for Roma between 2001 and 2019 before moving to Argentina. He won the Coppa Italia twice with Roma and lifted the World Cup with Italy in 2006. The central midfielder has many tattoos across his body, with his Teletubby tattoo being one of the most iconic, which he had done because of his daughter. Another of his iconic tattoos is the one placed on his calf. Here, part of his calf is covered with a warning sign – A warning sign of slide tackles incoming, representing De Rossi’s passions, fight, and spirit on the pitch. Funnily enough, the tattoo shows a player sliding tackling into the opponent’s foot, showing the humor behind the art. If he’s not getting the ball, then the player isn’t going anywhere!