Tattoos among professional football players in the 2018–2019 Spanish La Liga season - 19/07/20

Doi : 10.1016/j.annder.2020.03.008

N. Kluger ^a,^b,^⁎ , R. Ahava ^a
^a Departments of dermatology, allergology and venereology, Helsinki university hospital, Meilahdentie 2, P.O. Box 160, 00029 HUS, Finland
^b “Tattoo” consultation, department of dermatology, Bichat–Claude-Bernard hospital, Assistance publique–Hôpitaux de Paris, 46, rue Henri-Huchard, 75877 Paris cedex 18, France

^⁎Corresponding author at: Department of dermatology, skin and allergies hospital, Helsinki university hospital, Meilahdentie 2, P.O. Box 160, 00029 HUS, Finland.Department of dermatology, skin and allergies hospital, Helsinki university hospitalMeilahdentie 2, P.O. Box 160HUS00029Finland

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Summary

Introduction

Data regarding tattoos among football players are limited. We investigated the prevalence and characteristics of tattoos among elite players over a full season in the Spanish La Liga. We assessed whether tattoos had any impact on the performance and behavior of players and teams on the pitch.

Materials and methods

Demographic (age, geographic origin, position), performance (goal-scoring) and disciplinary data (yellow/red cards received) for 476 players and overall team statistics over the 2018–2019 season were analyzed according to the presence of visible tattoos (head and neck, upper arms, lower limbs) for each player.

Results

Of the 472 players analyzed, 160 (36%) had visible tattoos (upper limbs, 99%; lower limbs, 18.5%; head and neck, 12%), most of which were in black ink (83%). Players from South and Central America had the highest prevalence of visible tattoos (50%) and significantly more head and neck tattoos than Europeans (19% vs. 10% P=0.02). Tattoos were not significantly related to players’ age or position. The mean number of goals scored was higher in the tattooed player group (2.7±4.6 goals vs. 1.9±3.3; P=0.013). There was a correlation between having tattoos and number of goals (Spearman rho 0.103, P=0.034). Tattooed players were more likely to have received≥1 yellow card (91% vs. 83.5%, P=0.03). There was no difference regarding red cards received (15 vs. 14%, P>0.05). The mean number of yellow cards was higher among players with tattoos than those without (4.4±3.2 vs. 3.6±3.2; P=0.01). However, the proportion of tattooed players in a team did not influence the overall team outcomes. The results were no longer significant when we included only players taking part in at least in 22 matches.

Conclusion

Among footballers in La Liga, 36% had visible tattoos, with individual variations attributable to differences in geographic, social, cultural and religious background. Having tattoos was associated with certain aspects of individual performance and discipline. The question whether this factor should be taken into consideration by players’ agents and team managers remains open.

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Keywords : Athletes, Football, Performance, Soccer, Tattoo, Tattooing, Sport