The soccer game has undoubtedly moved from the good uncivilized old days where players hardly do “immoral” things and have reached a stage where everyone wants to “follow the trend” or “be in Vogue”. Sadly, the so-called role models of some aspiring youths are in this same category.
The ambiguity surrounding the debate about whether wearing a tattoo is morally justifiable or not has made it complex for those who argue about the “beautifying” tool. Since nobody apparently can win the argument of whether wearing of tattoo is ideal morally or not, (although, there will always be a preponderance of thoughts and beliefs that negates the wearing of a tattoo by those who don’t fancy it).
It’s believed that some things cannot happen without a cause or a reason either by nature or by the means of logic. Soccer players have their sporting achievements immortalized in their tattoos, (Jordan Henderson has the UEFA Champions trophy on one of his tighs) but our focus today is not on the Liverpool captain.
Let’s take a look at Beckham’s tattoo & meaning
Cheapgoals’ focus is another English football icon – David Beckham. David Beckham has more than forty inkings on his body and almost all of those tats are there to celebrate his family; which are all of his children, his wife, and his parents. This goes to show how the former Manchester United and Real Madrid man loves his family dearly.
Also, every tattoo on David Beckham has a name so Let’s take a look at the special implications of the tattoos on the former Three Lions Captain one after the other.
1. Dream Big, Be Unrealistic: This special tattoo would’ve served as a source of inspiration to Beckham and every other individual that comes the way of the England international.
The tattoo “Dream big, be unrealistic” was derived from the lyrics of Jay Z and Beyonce’s ‘on the run’ tour and is inked on his right hand.
2. Harper: David Beckham is absolutely a proud and loving father. He got the “Harper” tattoo inked on his neck when his daughter was born in 2011. Harper is the name given to his cute little daughter. He later inked “the pretty lady” when Harper clocked four.
3. The Chinese proverb: There’s this Chinese proverb inked below his left armpit down his left hip. The inspiring tattoo has an amazing meaning when translated to English. It reads “Death and life have determined appointments. Riches and honor depend upon heaven.”
4. De Integro: The tattoo is a Spanish word inked on his right wrist of David Beckham which in English means “Of Integrity”.
5. Jesus And Cherubs: Jesus and the cherubs tattoo inked on David’s upper left chest in early 2011 is a portrait of Jesus designed to look like him and three baby angels lifting Jesus from his tomb. The three cherubs represent the three Beckham boys while Jesus is Beckham himself.
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6. Winged Cross: Beckham back in 2004 was in the midst of the UEFA Championships in Greece when his UK tattooist, Louis Malloy, flown to Athens to ink the design in the back of Beck’s neck. The tat, however, didn’t go well with the British fans and as a result, kicked against it vociferously. Although, some set of fans applauded him while some said the tattoo and his shaved head made Beckham look like a hooligan.
7. Guardian Angel: You might be wondering what name would be given to the design that sits between his shoulder blades and one of many back tattoos of Beckham. The name given to the tat by David Beckham is “Guardian Angel” and has been expanded with larger wings added to the design.
8. Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz: Another set of designs on the back of Beckham are Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz. Brooklyn is the name.or his firstborn son and it’s inked across Beck’s lower back. Romeo is his second son and his own name sits just below the base of his father’s neck. While Cruz happens to be the name of his third son. It is inked just below the winged figure of David Beckham.
9. The Left Arm: The designs on the left arm of David Beckham are many but seem to focus on the life of David and his wife, Victoria. Victoria is formerly known as Spice Girl “Posh Spice” and it was inked on the left arm of her husband.
Inked below the tattoo is a phrase in Latin. “Ut Amem Et Foveam” which translates to “so that I love and cherish.” Also, there’s a Hebrew phrase that has been inked above his wife’s name.
10. Biblical Text: Beckham is believed to have a preference for an atextual tattoo. He has some tats that were coined out from novels, the Bible and songs as well in diverse languages and one of these tattoos is the large block of writing inked on his right rib cage that appears to be either a quote or a passage from the Bible.
11. 99: This particular tattoo shouldn’t be too incomprehensible for soccer fans. The Number “99” inked on Beckham’s smallest finger on the right hand in a simple black font represents the auspicious year for the English football icon.
It was the year in which Beckham tied the knot with his wife, Victoria Beckham. Also, in the same year, he helped his team, Manchester United to a European Treble, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League in a single season.
12. Mum and Dad: As stated earlier in this piece, some tattoo on the former Three Lions Captain’s body represents his utmost love for his family which puts his parents automatically into the category.
The “Mum and Dad” tattoo on the model and soccer star’s body is inked like the rest of the tattoos on him in a rich and dark script font. The tattoo obviously was there to pay a day-by-day tribute to his mom, Sandra Beckham & dad who incidentally bears David Beckham as well.
13. Man of sorrows: Inked at the right-hand side of David’s bellybutton is a tattoo featuring a black and white representation of Jesus on his way to be crucified. He got the tattoo to honor his grandfather Joe West when he passed away.
14. Cupid and Psyche: One of the designs on the left shoulder to his sleeve is a tattoo based on a painting by Italian painter Francesco Francis, a 15th-century artist. The design features a rebirth image of Cupid carrying his wife, Psyche up to the heavens.
15. Pray for me: Another piece from David Beckham’s tattoo is the three powerful words “Pray For Me” that was Inked on the outside of his right wrist. He got the tat in 2007 when rumors were flying around that the design was incited by Beckham’s controversial move from Manchester United to LA Galaxy.
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16: Lead With Love: The ‘Lead with Love’ tattoo is in a curly script font carved on the back of David’s left hand.
17: Perfectio In Spiritu: Latin phrase meaning Spiritual imperfection. The Manchester United legend went for another Latin phrase tattoo, this time on his right arm. The tattoo reads “Perfectio In Spiritu”, which means Spiritual Perfection.
18:I am beloved and my beloved is mine: On the occasion of their 6th anniversary, Beckham decided to pay tribute to his wife with this quote. The text is borrowed from the Book of Solomon and is also found inked on Victoria’s body.
19:VIII.V.MMVI: In 2006 Beckham and Victoria got matching wrist tattoos of the Roman numerals VIII.V.MMVI, which represents the date of their secret commitment ceremony on May 8, 2006.
20: Classic Angel: David Beckham’s got his first lower body tattoo featuring two classic angels from partway up his calf running to the ankle. The tattoo is placed on his left leg and shows a couple running which signifies him and his wife.
