Football features

THEY say money can’t buy you taste.And for all the millions today’s top athletes make – whether it be footballers or any other sports star – it appears that mantra has never been more true than when applied to tattoos.
Goalkeeper Joe Hart shows off his eyesore of a tattooCredit: Refer to Caption
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart proved that with the massive block of ink across his right shoulder.
And not even the unofficial King of Cool David Beckham is immune to an occasional style blunder.
Here’s a look at some of the worst around.
Dele Alli
Dele Alli has a tattoo of Bamm Bamm from the Flinstones on his forearm
Look past the gold bling and you will see former Spurs star Alli’s permanent tribute to Bamm Bamm from the Flinstones.
A somewhat unconventional choice, Alli – whose first name is Bamidele – is thought to have got it because his nickname is Bam Bam.David Beckham
England legend Becks has an intricate grouping of planets inked on his headCredit: Rex Features
A fashion icon the world over and hugely admired midfielder, we’ll let Becks off for this one given he’s barely put a foot wrong in the past, apart from that sarong, those cornrows and that all-leather get-up…
Beckham has more than 40 tattoos but this one is probably the strangest, not least because of where it is.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
Derlis Ayala
The Olympic runner got Tokyo 2020 tattooed on his calf – before the Games was postponed by a year due to coronavirus.
Ayala qualified for Tokyo after finishing fifth overall in the Buenos Aires Marathon in September 2019.
He previously represented Paraguay in the 2016 Olympics in Rio in the marathon where he finished in 136th place – got the Olympics rings plus the date and location inked on.

Sergio Aguero
Ex Man City star Sergio Aguero isn’t quite sure what his Lord of the Rings tattoo saysCredit: Getty – Contributor
Those are not hieroglyphics down the prolific striker’s forearm but the Elvish language from Lord of the Rings.
Aguero must be a pretty big fan of the film, then, huh?
Er, no. But he must at least know what it means? Nope – he hasn’t even seen the movie.Nicolas Otamendi
Most people get tattoos of the things that are most important to them – family members, dates and religious symbols.
Former Man City ace Otamendi, though, clearly loves watching TV so much and has inked stars from hit shows Breaking Bad, Peaky Blinders and Vikings on his back.
At the top of his back, the Benfica defender has Walter White, the main character in Breaking Bad, while lower down there is an image of Peaky Blinders protagonist Thomas Shelby.
Nicolas Otamendi showed off his impressive tattoo collectionCredit: Rex Features
The main characters from Breaking Bad – Walter White – and Peaky Blinders – Thomas Shelby – feature on the Argentinian’s back
To the left appears to be Ragnar Lothbrok from Vikings.
They make up what is an impressive collection including a pocket watch, a lion, a bear and the more regular tattoos such as names of some of his family members.
Jadon Sancho
Man Utd star Jadon Sancho sporting his cartoon tattoos at during a Borussia Dortmund training session
It’s easy to make the link between rapid England winger Sancho and his tattoo of Sonic the Hedgehog.
After that, things become a bit of a stretch.
Having the Simpsons daubed on his arm can perhaps be likened to his former team Dortmund side’s famous Yellow Wall – if you were really trying.
But Spiderman? There’s only so much Cartoon Network one man can need.Hector Bellerin
Hector Bellerin has the word ‘two’ tattooed on his leg to match his shirt numberCredit: Getty – Contributor
When he’s not flaunting questionable clobber at fashion shows, Bellerin likes to pose in retro-style photos, get tattoos and play football.
Here, he dedicates his commitment to his defensive position by getting his shirt number permanently etched on his thigh.
Erik Lamela
Lamela has a tattoo of a dog on his thighCredit: Reuters
Dodgy tattoos have no allegiance and could not care less about who ruled North London.
But when Erik Lamela was playing for Spurs, he showed off this corker of a tattoo.
Yes, it’s a picture of a loveable bulldog.Artur Boruc
Artur Boruc’s hideous monkey tattoo in all its gloryCredit: Willie Vass
Word cannot do justice to just how bad the former Bournemouth’s keeper monkey tattoo is around his belly button
Just awful.
No. Not even doing a ‘monkeying around’ pun for this.Eljero Elia
Eljero Elia spelled Feyenoord incorrectly and got the date of his Cup final win as May 24 rather than April 24Credit: Instagram
Spell the name of your club incorrectly? Check. Get the date wrong of the final you played in and won? Check.
Feyenoord winger Elia had a stinker with this tattoo back in 2016, but got it corrected to display the correct details.Uros Vitas
Vitos’ inking was a nice thought… but should have remained just a thought
Fair play to Serbian defender Vitas for showing off the love of his life, Andrijana, in tattoo form.
Shame it looked so frightening.
Marcelo Brozovic
Brozovic’s weird hand tattoo is one of a kindCredit: Getty – Contributor
Inter midfielder Brozovic got this ‘epic Brozo’ tattoo to match his equally epic celebration whenever he scores.
Not only is it in a peculiar position on the top of his hand, he also opened a bar in his native Croatia with the name Epic Brozo and, yep, you guessed it, an image of the winking face.Amato Ciciretti
How will Amato Ciciretti’s social media tattoo have aged by the time he’s 50?Credit: Twitter
He is the journeyman Italian who now plays for Ascoli in Serie B, but Ciciretti must be social media famous to go to the lengths of having his Twitter handle tattooed on his calf?
Surprisingly, no. Instead, the 29-year-old removed his account after amassing just over 2,000 followers, and tweeting just 31 times Any regrets, Amato?Nile Ranger
Nile Ranger is among the footballers with the world’s worst tattoosCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Nile Ranger got his surname tattooed across his headCredit: Jamie McPhilimey – The Sun
Perhaps it was just in case he forgot. Nile Ranger – or, as the tattoo would suggest, Nile Ranges – went through the unnecessary pain of having his surname printed above his eye.
To be fair to the former Newcastle striker who has a smiley face tattooed inside his mouth, there wasn’t much space left on the rest of his body.
Layvin Kurzawa
The belly-button should have one job, and one job onlyCredit: Getty – Contributor
Not quite as bad as Boruc, but here’s another footballer who mistook the belly-button’s purpose for postnatal artwork.
The Paris Saint-Germain left-back, on loan at Fulham, needs to keep his shirt on with the terrifying face on his stomach.Daniele de Rossi
Retired Italian midfielder sent a message to opponents with his calf tattooCredit: AFP
At first glance, the retired Italian’s calf looks more like it should be placed outside the gents’ loo.
Instead, De Rossi’s hazard warning tattoo backs up his hardman image as the tough-tackling midfielder snapping at opponent’s ankles.Marko Arnautovic
Marko Arnautovic could not quite decide which font to haveCredit: Getty – Contributor
A message of motivation is blazoned across the former West Ham forward’s stomach.
The problem is Arnautovic seemed as certain about the font he wanted for the tattoo as he was about which club he’d be playing for the following season.Mauro Junior
An iconic image with a motivational message?Credit: Getty – Contributor
There was, perhaps, an oversight when PSV’s young midfielder got a famous image tattooed down his left forearm.
Some will see King Arthur attempting to pull the legendary sword from a stone. Others? Well, we’ll leave that to you..Ricardo Quaresma
Chelsea flop Ricardo Quaresma has some questionable facial tattoosCredit: —
Is there something the former Porto and Chelsea man needs to tell us?
In most quarters, teardrop tattoos tend to signify the amount of people the wearer had killed in prison.
Quaresma’s short stay at Stamford Bridge didn’t include much lethal work.Jay Bothroyd
On first look, the former England striker appears to have a random arsenal pictured down his ribs.
Tilt you head slightly and the weapons just about spell out the word ‘love’. Awww?
Do you love it or hate it?Credit: Twitter More

THESE are the ballers who became bezzies.While there are relationships in any team, from centre-back partnerships to strike duos, this lot took things much further.
Childhood friends Mason Mount and Declan Rice have emerged as one of football’s biggest bromancesCredit: Getty – Contributor
Here, SunSport rounds up football’s biggest mates.Messi & Suarez
In the summer of 2020, Uruguay ace Luis Suarez said an emotional goodbye to his team-mates and cleared out his locker in the dressing room after six seasons at the Nou Camp.
He was joined by an emotional Leo Messi, who slammed the club’s treatment of his pal in the past, to wish Suarez all the best at rivals Atletico Madrid.
Messi even took time to share a snap of the pair together one final time in the dressing room, and you can bet there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
He captioned the photo: “I was already getting the idea but today I entered the locker room and the card really fell.
“How difficult it is going to be not to continue sharing the day to day with you, both on the pitch and outside. We will miss you so much. It was many years, many mates, lunches, dinners … Many things that will never be forgotten, every day together.
“It will be strange to see you with another shirt and much more to face you. You deserved to be fired as what you are: one of the most important players in the club’s history, achieving important things both as a group and individually.
Lionel Messi poses with Luis Suarez in the Nou Camp dressing room one final timeCredit: Instagram
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
“And not to get kicked out like they did. But the truth is that at this point nothing surprises me.
“I wish you all the best in this new challenge. I love you very much, I love you very much. See you soon friend.”
Later that summer Messi shocked the world by announcing he wanted to quit the club himself. Eventually he stayed, but left a year later anyway when Barcelona could not afford to pay his wages.
Lingard & Rashford
FROM quirky handshakes to holiday snaps, the two stars regularly give the world an insight into their bond through social media.
Jesse Lingard once said he saw Marcus Rashford, five years his junior, as a little brother in the United squad, before moving on to Nottingham Forest.
Jesse Lingard sees Marcus Rashford as like his little brother and nicknamed him ‘beansprouts’Credit: Instagram @marcusrashford
He has nicknamed him ‘beansprouts’ and says their friendship stemmed from defending him during a feisty Manchester derby in 2016.
“He got into a little bit of beef and I had to be there for him, and from then it’s carried on and I’ll always be there for him no matter what,” Lingard said.Lovren & Salah
FOR Dejan Lovren and Mohamed Salah, there was an instant connection.
When Salah arrived at Liverpool in 2017, the two men discussed their tough upbringings and, from there, they were virtually inseparable.
Lovren revealed: “From day one, we felt this connection.
Dejan Lovren and Mohamed Salah had an instant connection at LiverpoolCredit: PA:Press Association
“We have been talking a lot, we were talking about private things and we have a similar background, a tough life from the beginning.
“And then with his normality, how he can talk to you and when you see how he thinks… we are good friends, coffee, jokes!”
Lovren now plays for Lyon while Salah is still starring at Anfield.Alli & Dier
WHEN Dele Alli signed for Tottenham from Milton Keynes Dons in 2015, he quickly bonded with his fellow newbie.
Eric Dier had signed from Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon and the two quickly formed a friendship that culminated in appearing alongside each other on the Gogglebox sofa.
Dele Alli and Eric Dier became close mates at Tottenham and ended up on Gogglebox togetherCredit: Channel 4
The Channel 4 programme gave fans an insight into their friendship as the pair bickered over a cuppa on telly.
But they’re not afraid to talk about their bond either, with Dele once saying: “Love’s a strong word but we do really like each other.”
Dier has become a first team regular at Spurs, while Alli was sold to Everton. He has since tried to rebuild his career on loan in Turkey.Pogba & Lukaku
IF it wasn’t for ‘Agent Paul Pogba’, Romelu Lukaku wouldn’t have ended up at Manchester United.
In the summer of 2017, when the Belgian was choosing between a transfer to Chelsea and United, he was holidaying with Pogba in an LA mansion.
There was little doubt where he would end up.
Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku holidayed together in LA before the Belgian signed for Man United
After that, the two superstars were virtually inseparable, hanging out, playing basketball and sharing private jets.
The bromance was brought to an end in 2019 when Lukaku switched to Inter Milan. Pogba has since left the Red Devils for Juventus, while Lukaku is back on loan with Inter after flopping at Chelsea. Perhaps they can enjoy a nice Italian together at least now.
Aubameyang & Lacazette
THEY were always Gunner be mates.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang signed for Arsenal in January 2018 and immediately struck up a friendship with fellow striker Alexandre Lacazette.
Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang formed a partnership both on and off the pitch at ArsenalCredit: Reuters
Aubameyang remembers: “I came to Arsenal and there he was. It was good to see him. It was love at first sight!”
Their bond off the pitch helped them on it, with the duo helping the club win the FA Cup in 2020.
However, the best buds have since moved.
Aubameyang was first to go, after a fallout with manager Mikel Arteta, to Barcelona. He since moved to Chelsea.
Lacazette returned to Lyon and is flying this season, even without his close pal at hand.
Mount & Rice
IT was in Chelsea’s academy, at the age of seven, that Mason Mount and Declan Rice began their friendship.
Both families holidayed together and travelled Europe, watching the boys play for the Blues, and their bond endured Chelsea’s decision to release Rice at the age of 14 – which made Mount’s mum cry.
Childhood mates Rice and Mount have gone on holiday together for many yearsCredit: https://www.instagram.com/masonmount10/?hl=en
Now the two midfielders have been able to team up again while playing for their country after being selected by Gareth Southgate.
And Mount provided the most hilarious video when he surprised a sleeping Rice while they were on holiday together.
Kolasinac & Ozil
IF any star has proved their bezzie loyalty it’s Sead Kolasinac to Mesut Ozil.
In the face of knife-wielding moped thugs, Kolasinac leapt from Ozil’s car and defended his pal with whom he had formed a strong bond.
Sead Kolasinac and Mesut Ozil became best buds at Arsenal while their wives have connected tooCredit: Instagram/ m10_officia
Sead Kolasinac fought off moped muggers armed with a knifeCredit: Enterprise News and Pictures
German Ozil vowed to take Kolasinac under his wing when he arrived at Arsenal in 2017, and since then the two men — and their wives — have become best friends.
In the summer of 2019, both couples got married and attended each other’s wedding while the two men dyed their hair blonde after losing a bet.
Ozil retired from the game this year, after a spell in Turkey. Kolasinac was sold to Marseille.
Fabregas & Suarez & Messi
IT is the friendship group football fans would dream to be a part of.
Messi, Suarez and Cesc Fabregas, who all met at Barcelona, have formed a small clique of some of the world’s greatest footballing talent.
Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas, Luis Suarez and their wives have become close friends and regularly holiday togetherCredit: Instagram @antonelaroccuzzo
With their respective partners ⁠— Antonella Roccuzzo, Sofia Balbi and Daniella Semaan ⁠— all friends as well, the group regularly holiday together in giant luxury villas and yachts.
There was even a suggestion in 2017 that the group racked up a £32,630 bill during a dinner on the Spanish island of Ibiza.Firmino & Coutinho
THEIR time together at Anfield was relatively short but extremely sweet.
Fellow Brazilians Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho formed a formidable partnership in Jurgen Klopp’s fierce attack.
Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino formed a close bond while at Liverpool togetherCredit: Instagram, @roberto_firmino
So it came as a blow to Firmino when Coutinho made the £142million switch to Barcelona in January 2018.
Firmino said: “He made his decision to join Barcelona, but every time we play for the Seleção we have a chat and maintain that friendship.
“He’s an exceptional guy – one of the best friends football has given me.”
Coutinho returned to the Premier League with Aston Villa, so the pair rekindled their bromance.
However, with Firmino leaving Anfield this summer, expect an emotional goodbye.
Nolan & Carroll
WHEN Andy Carroll was bailed for an assault charge in 2010, he turned to his best mate Kevin Nolan.
Having become close friends at Newcastle, Nolan allowed his pal to live with his family on two conditions — reading Peppa Pig to his kids and being in bed by 11pm!
Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll are such good mates that Nolan let Carroll live with himCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
But it still came as some surprise when the former Liverpool striker named Nolan in his dream 5-a-side team alongside superstars such as Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez.
Nolan responded by saying: “Well, me and Andy are mates so he’s looking after his mucker!”And when bromances go bad… Owen and Shearer
A lethal strike partnership, the darlings of England’s first-team, whose relationship spiralled from good mates to a public spat.
Michael Owen’s autobiography Reboot: My Life lifted the lid on a bitter feud that began during his time at Newcastle.
The two English heavyweights went toe-to-toe on Twitter after Owen’s book claimed Alan Shearer had questioned his professionalism at St. James’ Park.
Shearer took aim at Owen by highlighting his hefty wages at Newcastle before Owen shot back by questioning Shearer’s loyalty to Newcastle.
Let’s hope the other bezzies in this list aren’t slinging mud at each other in ten years’ time.
Alan Shearer and Michael Owen’s friendship has fallen apart and spiralled into a public spatCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

THERE is a lot of money to be made in football.Indeed, even middle-of-the-road stars in England’s top flight are making £50,000 each week on average.
Gianluca Vialli sadly passed away earlier this yearCredit: Instagram @lucavialli
However, this lot were already from wealthy backgrounds before they made it to the big league.
Let SunSport guide you through the football stars that were already swimming in riches and didn’t need the beautiful game.GIANLUCA VIALLI
Chelsea and Italy legend Vialli was always recognised as a gentleman of the game.
And it’s probably got to do with his upbringing.
He was raised by his father, a self-made millionaire, in a 60-room castle called the Castello di Belgioioso in Cremona, along with four siblings.
The Champions League and Serie A winner also loves a posh round of golf.
He took part in the Alfred Dunhill links championship pro-am event, which is one of the richest golf tournaments played in Europe.
He then worked alongside manager Roberto Mancini with the Italian national team.
But Vialli tragically passed away earlier this year after a brave battle against cancer.
Vialli grew up in a 60-room castle called the Castello di Belgioioso in CremonaCredit: Alamy
Dignified Vialli had a far from modest upbringingCredit: Instagram @lucavialli
Gianluca Vialli scores for Chelsea against Nottingham Forest in 1996Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
FRANK LAMPARD
The interim Chelsea manager didn’t have to go into football, although it was an easy step for him to make.
Lampard came from a football family, with uncle Harry Redknapp and dad Frank Lampard Snr showing him the way at West Ham United.
He intended the posh Brentwood School in Essex that would’ve cost a fortune in school fees.
There, he scored 11 GCSE’s and could’ve been an accountant, according to a former teacher.
Frank Lampard went to posh Brentwood High SchoolCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
GERARD PIQUE
Being formerly half of a celebrity couple (his ex-missus is Colombian singer Shakira), Barcelona defender Pique has made his own fortune.
However, growing up life was easy for the defender who had a spell in England at Manchester United as a youth.
He lived a comfortable existence in Catalonia. Dad Joan is a successful attorney and businessman, while mum Montserrat is the director of a hospital in Barcelona.
Even Pique’s grandfather Amador Bernabeu was minted – as a former director of the La Liga champions.
Gerard Pique’s dad Joan is a successful attorney and businessman, while mum Montserrat is the director of a hospital in BarcelonaCredit: Alamy
FAIQ BOLKIAH
Formerly of Leicester City, currently playing in Thailand for Chonburi, Bolkiah is the nephew of the Sultan of Brunei, who has a fortune estimated to be worth £15bn.
His dad is Jefri Bolkiah, a brother of the oil tycoon, so that makes Faiq a member of their royal family and in line to receive a nice inheritance.
At his 50th birthday, to impress his son, he hired Michael Jackson to play a private gig just for them.
Faiq Bolkiah is a former Leicester City trainee and nephew of the Sultan of BruneiCredit: Instagram @fjbolkiah
AL-SAADI GADDAFI
The third son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Al-Saadi played for Perugia, Udinese and was on the books at Sampdoria.
In 2011, he retired and became the commander of Libya’s Special Forces and led the army in the Libyan Civil War. In 2018, he was cleared of murder charges after he was extradited from Niger back to Libya.
During his playing days he once employed Diego Maradona as a technical consultant, and Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson as his personal trainer.
Al-Saadi Gaddafi was the son of Colonel GaddafiCredit: AFP – Getty
Gaddafi played in Italy before becoming an army generalCredit: Getty – Contributor
HUGO LLORIS
The Spurs goalie comes from an affluent background.
Growing up in Nice in the South of France, his mother was an attorney, while his dad was a banker.
He took tennis lessons as a kid, and was ranked high in his age range as a youngster.
It meant football played second fiddle in his life until the age of 13.
Lloris famously played through the pain of losing his mum, refusing bereavement leave to play for Nice.
Hugo Lloris could have been a tennis star instead of a footballerCredit: AFP – Getty
ROBIN VAN PERSIE
Wealthy and artisanal, Van Persie’s parents afforded the former Arsenal striker a comfortable life growing up in Rotterdam.
His father Bob is a renowned artist and sculptor, while his mother Jose Ras is a painter, teacher and jewellery designer.
Van Persie’s parents split up when he was younger, and he was a troublesome teen.
His dad expected him to become an artist too.
Robin Van Persie’s parents were artisticCredit: Instagram @robinvanpersie
Mother Jose Ras is a painter, teacher and jewellery designerCredit: Instagram @robinvanpersie
MARIO BALOTELLI
The fiery Italian wasn’t born wealthy.
Balotelli originally comes from Palermo and his parents were Ghanaian immigrants.
But he was adopted by Francesco and Silvia Balotelli when his mum and dad couldn’t afford him.
They were a wealthy pair, who lived in an affluent part of Brescia called Concesio.
His birth and adoptive parents fought for custody, but it was decided it was in Balotelli’s best interests to stay put.
Mario Balotelli was adopted when he was a kidCredit: Instagram @mb459
Francesco and Silvia Balotelli lived wealthily in BresciaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
ANDREA PIRLO
An elegant footballer and man, Pirlo learned about the finer things in life when he was a kid.
His dad Luigi set up a steel company in Brescia in 1982, which Andrea still has a stake in.
The former Juventus star enjoyed an upper class life, which he later put to use in his own way.
Pirlo, who ended his career in the MLS, also owns his own vineyard, as rich people do.
Andrea Pirlo learned about the finer things in life as a youngsterCredit: Instagram @andreapirlo21
Today, refined Pirlo owns his own vineyardCredit: Instagram @andreapirlo21
PATRICK BAMFORD
He doesn’t have to play centre forward for Leeds, you know.
Bamford isn’t your typical footballer, being a skilled violin and piano player and attended fee-paying Nottingham High School, got five A*s at GCSE and went on to study French, history and biology at A Level.
Bamford was even offered a scholarship at Harvard in the US, who recognised his academic prowess.
However, he’s not related to JCB founder Joseph Bamford, as was once claimed.
Patrick Bamford went to private school and was offered a scholarship to HarvardCredit: Instagram @patrick_bamford
Bamford is a not relative of JCB founder Joseph Bamford as was once claimedCredit: Hulton Archive – Getty
KAKA
Most of Brazil’s best footballers lead a life that tells a rags-to-riches tale. But former Ballon d’Or winner Kaka is different.
He was raised by father Bosco Izecson Pereira Leite, who was an engineer, while his mother Simone dos Santos was a school teacher.
It has been reported that Kaka lived comfortably, and wasn’t raised in poverty like many of his teammates for his country.
Brazilian legend Kaka lived a comfortable existence growing upCredit: Instagram @kaka
Kaka’s father Bosco Izecson Pereira Leite was an engineerCredit: Instagram @kaka More