Nicolas Otamendi is the latest Argentina player inked up with a unique World Cup tattoo.
The Argentine defender, renowned for his assortment of tats, shared his latest addition on Instagram.
The ink shows the memorable portrayal of Lionel Messi’s first encounter with the World Cup after the Albiceleste’s thrilling penalty shootout victory over France in the final.
The player also accompanied the fresh skin art with some text, aligning “Enthusiasm, Conviction and Ambition” with the statement: “How can anyone claim that magic doesn’t exist?”
To top it off, Otamendi added Argentina’s two other recent trophies from last year’s Copa America and the 2022 Finalissmia next to the Messi artwork. The new body art joins the tattoos of Vikings, Prison Break, Breaking Bad, and Peaky Blinders already on Otamendi’s back.
The entire body of work left Messi amazed. As he commented on Instagram: “I saw a lot of spectacular things that were done too because of the World Cup, but that a colleague, a friend like Otamendi getting this tattoo is something more than special!! Thank you very much Ota!”
“The things you’ve seen are nothing compared to the things we see when playing alongside you. You are not only a whole country, you also are the history of this sport. I love you, my friend,” replied the 35-year-old Benfica defender.
Several other Argentina teammates adorned their bodies with inked mementos, commemorating their remarkable World Cup triumph.
Leandro Paredes
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes celebrated his World Cup victory by etching an impressive tattoo of the prestigious trophy on his leg. Underneath the trophy reads the date of the final.
Nicolas Tagliafico
Like Paredes, Nicolas Tagliafico commemorated his team’s World Cup victory with a snazzy leg tattoo depicting himself holding the coveted trophy.
Angel Di Maria
Angel Di Maria wasted no time celebrating the victory, getting inked less than a week after the final.
He proudly displayed an expansive tattoo of the World Cup on his right knee, accompanied by three stars, the Sun of May from Argentina’s flag, over an outline of Lusail Stadium, where the final took place.
Papu Gomez
Attacking midfielder Papu Gomez made sure to show appreciation for Argentina’s heroic goalkeeper Emi Martinez. The Aston Villa man made a series of valiant saves that kept France from scoring in the World Cup final.
Gomez previously tattooed the Copa America trophy on his upper thigh.
Emi Martinez
Goalkeeper Emi Martinez celebrated the big achievement by getting the World Cup trophy tattooed on the precise spot (his inner left leg) where he foiled Les Bleus forward Randal Kolo Muani’s attempt in the match’s final moments.
Cristian Romero
Better late than never. Argentina center-back Cristian Romero copied his fellow teammates two years later by tattooing the World Cup trophy into his right inner calf.
Photo: Twitter/Albiceleste News
