TATTOOED footballers net 42 per cent more goals than players without inkings, a study found.
But they are also more likely to get a yellow card.
Scientists claim those with visible tattoos, such as PSG’s Brazil star Neymar, are viewed as more aggressive — giving them a psychological edge over opponents.
They reckon the body art bunch are greater risk takers, leading to more goals. The findings follow analysis of Spain’s 2018-19 LaLiga season — when more than a third of top pros had tattoos.
On average they scored 2.7 goals a season compared to 1.9 for unadorned players.
They had a 91 per cent chance of getting a yellow card, while those without tattoos had an 83 per cent risk.
Half of players from South America were inked, compared to a third of Europeans.
Researcher Dr Nicolas Kluger, a dermatologist at Finland’s Helsinki University Hospital, said: “Tattoos are associated with ego boosting, and symbolise physical strength as well as traits of aggressiveness and rebelliousness.”
The findings appeared in the journal Annals of Dermatology and Venereology.
