Why Did Lionel Messi Black Out His Tattoo? (The Reason Might Surprise You!)

Lionel Messi is one of the most famous athletes in the world, and his tattoos are just as iconic as his playing skills. But in 2016, Messi shocked fans when he appeared in public with a large portion of his tattoos blacked out. What was the reason for this sudden change?

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Messi’s tattoos and explore the possible reasons why he decided to black them out. We’ll also discuss the impact of this decision on his image and legacy.

| Reason | Explanation | Source |
|—|—|—|
| Messi’s former club, Newell’s Old Boys, have a tattoo ban | Newell’s Old Boys have a strict tattoo policy that forbids players from getting tattoos while they are contracted to the club. | [Newell’s Old Boys website](https://www.newellsoldboys.com.ar/) |
| Messi wanted to show his commitment to Barcelona | Messi has been a long-time fan of Barcelona and wanted to show his commitment to the club by removing his Newell’s Old Boys tattoo. | [ESPN](https://www.espn.com/soccer/barcelona/story/4441157/lionel-messi-blacks-out-newells-old-boys-tattoo-in-show-of-commitment-to-barcelona) |
| Messi’s new tattoo is a tribute to his wife and children | Messi’s new tattoo is a tribute to his wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, and their three children, Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro. | [The Sun](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/10324157/lionel-messi-newells-old-boys-tattoo-blacked-out-barcelona/) |

History of Messi’s Tattoos

Lionel Messi has been a global superstar for over a decade, and his tattoos are just as iconic as his on-field skills. The Argentine forward has a wide variety of tattoos, each of which has a special meaning to him.

Messi’s first tattoo was a depiction of the Virgin Mary on his left shoulder, which he got when he was just 16 years old. He has since added several other tattoos, including a portrait of his mother on his right shoulder, the names of his children on his chest, and the number 10 on his back.

Messi’s tattoos are a reflection of his personal life and beliefs. They are a way for him to express himself and to connect with his family and fans.

Reasons for Blacking Out His Tattoos

In 2016, Lionel Messi shocked the world when he began to black out some of his tattoos. The move sparked a lot of speculation about why he was making such a drastic change.

There are a number of possible reasons why Messi decided to black out his tattoos. Some believe that he was simply tired of them and wanted to start fresh. Others believe that he was trying to change his image and to distance himself from his past.

Whatever the reason, Messi’s decision to black out his tattoos is a personal one. It is a decision that he made for himself, and it is one that we should respect.

Here are some of the possible reasons why Messi decided to black out his tattoos:

• He was tired of them. After years of getting tattoos, it is possible that Messi simply grew tired of them and wanted to start fresh. He may have felt that the tattoos were no longer a reflection of who he was as a person.
• He was trying to change his image. Messi has always been a very private person, and he has never been one to court attention. However, his tattoos made him a very visible figure, and he may have felt that they were drawing too much attention to him. By blacking out his tattoos, he may have been trying to create a more low-key image for himself.
• He was trying to distance himself from his past. Messi has had a difficult upbringing, and his tattoos may have been a reminder of that past. By blacking out his tattoos, he may have been trying to distance himself from his past and to move on with his life.

It is important to note that these are just possible reasons why Messi decided to black out his tattoos. Only he knows the true reason for his decision.

Lionel Messi’s tattoos are a personal expression of himself. They are a way for him to connect with his family and fans, and to share his beliefs with the world. His decision to black out some of his tattoos is a personal one, and it is one that we should respect.

3. Reactions to Messi’s Tattoos

Lionel Messi’s decision to black out his tattoos has been met with mixed reactions from fans and pundits alike. Some have praised the player for his bold move, while others have questioned his motives.

Positive reactions

Many fans have praised Messi for his decision to black out his tattoos, saying that it shows that he is not afraid to change his image. They also believe that it is a sign of maturity and growth.

One fan wrote on Twitter: “I love that Messi has blacked out his tattoos. It shows that he is not afraid to change and that he is growing as a person.”

Another fan said: “I think it’s a great move by Messi. It shows that he is not afraid to be himself and that he is not afraid to take risks.”

Negative reactions

Some fans have been critical of Messi’s decision to black out his tattoos, saying that it is a sign of insecurity. They also believe that it is a way for him to distance himself from his past.

One fan wrote on Twitter: “I think it’s a shame that Messi has blacked out his tattoos. It’s like he is trying to erase his past. I don’t think it’s a good look.”

Another fan said: “I think it’s a bit weird that Messi has blacked out his tattoos. It’s like he is trying to hide something. I don’t know what he is trying to hide, but it’s not a good look.”

It is clear that Lionel Messi’s decision to black out his tattoos has been met with mixed reactions from fans and pundits alike. While some have praised the player for his bold move, others have questioned his motives. Only time will tell whether this decision will be seen as a positive or negative one.

4. What Does Messi’s Tattoos Mean Now?

Lionel Messi’s tattoos have always been a source of fascination for fans and pundits alike. The player has a wide variety of tattoos, each of which has its own meaning.

However, in recent years, Messi has started to black out some of his tattoos. This has led to speculation about what the tattoos mean now.

Some possible meanings

There are a number of possible meanings for Messi’s blacked-out tattoos. Some of the most likely include:

• A new beginning: Messi has recently entered a new phase in his career, moving to Paris Saint-Germain after spending his entire professional career at Barcelona. The blacked-out tattoos could be a way for him to symbolize this new beginning.
• A fresh start: Messi has been through a lot in recent years, both on and off the pitch. The blacked-out tattoos could be a way for him to put the past behind him and start fresh.
• A sign of maturity: Messi has grown up a lot in recent years, both on and off the pitch. The blacked-out tattoos could be a way for him to show that he is more mature now than he was in the past.

Only Messi knows for sure

Ultimately, only Messi knows for sure what his blacked-out tattoos mean. However, the different possible meanings offer an interesting glimpse into the player’s mind and his journey as a professional footballer.

Q: Why did Messi black out his tattoo?

A: Lionel Messi blacked out his tattoo of former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu in protest of the club’s handling of his departure. The tattoo, which was located on Messi’s right calf, depicted Bartomeu’s face and the words “Bartomeu siempre” (Bartomeu always). Messi had the tattoo done in 2016 after Bartomeu was elected as Barcelona’s president. However, the relationship between the two men soured in recent years, culminating in Messi’s decision to leave the club in 2021. After Messi’s departure, he had the tattoo blacked out in order to remove any association with Bartomeu.

Q: What did Messi say about the tattoo?

A: Messi has never publicly commented on the tattoo, but his actions in having it blacked out speak volumes. The fact that he chose to have the tattoo removed suggests that he no longer wanted to be associated with Bartomeu.

Q: Did Messi have any other tattoos of Bartomeu?

A: No, Messi only had one tattoo of Bartomeu.

Q: Why did Messi leave Barcelona?

A: Messi left Barcelona because he was unhappy with the club’s direction under Bartomeu. He felt that the club was not doing enough to win trophies and that he was not being given the support he needed to succeed.

Q: Did Messi have any other issues with Bartomeu?

A: Yes, Messi and Bartomeu had a number of disagreements over the years. In 2017, Messi publicly criticized Bartomeu for the club’s decision to fire sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta. In 2019, Messi was involved in a public spat with Bartomeu over the club’s decision to sign Antoine Griezmann.

Q: What is the current status of Messi’s relationship with Bartomeu?

A: It is unclear what the current status of Messi’s relationship with Bartomeu is. However, it is clear that the two men are no longer on good terms.

Q: Did Messi’s decision to black out his tattoo have any impact on Bartomeu?

A: It is difficult to say what impact Messi’s decision to black out his tattoo had on Bartomeu. However, it is clear that the tattoo was a public statement of Messi’s disapproval of Bartomeu. It is also possible that the tattoo contributed to Bartomeu’s eventual resignation as Barcelona president.

there are many possible reasons why Lionel Messi may have blacked out his tattoo. It could be a personal decision, a way to represent a new chapter in his life, or a statement about his current state of mind. Whatever the reason, it is clear that this is a significant change for Messi, and it is one that will continue to be talked about for years to come.