IT’S a new experience, so maybe Ivan Toney will get a new tattoo to celebrate.
The in-form Brentford striker, 26, has been called up to the England squad by Gareth Southgate for the upcoming Nations League matches against Italy and Germany.
Should he score, he might just whip off his top and reveal his amazing ink.
Toney’s body is a real work of art – and many of his tattoos have personal meanings.
Here’s a selection and what they all mean.
Family portraits
Aside from his football, family is important to Toney.
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Proudly painted on his abs are portraits of his grandparents Elma and Benjamin.
Next to them is his son, Ivan Jr.
Ivan’s mantra
Toney has reached the heights coming up through clubs including Northampton Town, Scunthorpe United and Peterborough United.
It’s meant he’s had to work hard to get there. Written across his chest are the words: ‘Suffer the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret.’
They are words of motivation to continue to give his all.
The Joker
Nothing to do with his favourite film character.
But featured on the back of his bicep is a portrait of Heath Ledger’s The Joker from The Dark Knight.
Toney has once said: “I’m confident, a winner, a joker and someone who will help anyone.”
So, clearly it alludes to his care-free personality.
Lion
Afraid of no one, Toney plays with heart on his sleeve. He’s a true lion, which is why he has a lion with a crown on his arm.
The lion is, of course, the king of the jungle, while the hotshot forward is the king of the Gtech Community Stadium
Written with the tattoo is the motto: “If he bleeds the same blood, never fear him.”
Mask
A riddle – on Toney’s forearm is a portrait of a woman taking a mask off.
The mask has a smile on it, but underneath the mask the woman is wearing a frown.
It suggests there are two sides to everyone – and when you scratch the surface you don’t know what someone is feeling deep down.
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Squad number
For the Bees, Toney wears the No17.
It’s also the digits emblazoned front and centre on his chest.
He’s had the number since his days at Peterborough, so it’s been lucky for him.
Kitten and Tiger
A unique inking of a cat staring into a puddle and seeing the reflection of a tiger is also found on Toney’s torso.
“It shows it doesn’t matter how others see you,” he explained to The Guardian about its meaning last year.
“If you see yourself as a winner, you’re going to be a winner, you’re going to make sure you become a winner. If you see yourself as fearless, you’ll be fearless.
“I think that goes far, not just in football but in everything. If you want to achieve something, it doesn’t matter what others think, you have got to make sure you achieve it.”
Ticking timer
On the inner bicep of his left arm fans may have spotted a ticking timer etched on his body.
‘Direction is more important than speed. Some people are going nowhere fast,’ can be read on it.
Toney has had to be patient for his time in the spotlight, but is now reaping the rewards and heading in the right direction.
‘Fearless’
Exactly what Toney is – and marries well with his Lion tattoo.
Drawn on the side of his torso is the word, ‘Fearless’.
He once told the Daily Mail, “I think that one speaks for itself.”
Crown
Fit for a king – which Toney is.
Below his right ear, the Three Lions call-up has a crown tattooed on the side of his neck.
While he hasn’t commented on it, it was best seen last season as Brentford entertained Chelsea.
We can only assume that it is befitting of his current status – and as England’s new striker.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
