Find out about Lionel Messi's relationship with his tattoo artist
The Argentine forward trusts Roberto Lopez and has used him for years after sending him a Whatsapp one day
Lionel Messi has got a new tattoo from Roberto Lopez, his man. Look at it here. The tattoo artist is from Argentina and was born in Tucuman but lives in Mar del Plata. He has travelled on numerous occasions to meet Messi and do some work for him.
Hello, I'm Leo!
"It was an incredible experience with a fantastic person and above all, a very humble one," said Lopez. The player had contacted him with a message on Whatsapp wth a simple message. "Hello, I'm Leo! How are you?"
Messi explained the images that he wanted on his body. A map, a clock, a lotus flower and a rosary. And he wanted the images to be big and easy to identify.
He found Lopez through Juan Cruz Leguizamon, goalkeeper for Central Cordoba, a friend of Leo and a client of the artist.
"I arrived in Barcelona and he called me. He asked if I had got arrived nicely. I was in Spain and I still couldn't believe what was happening to me. I needed to see him to know it was true, that I was going to tattoo the most famous player in the world. The next he appeared at the hotel. He came out of his car and helped me carry the case with the materials to his house."
"The most surprising thing was the resistance and tolerance Leo had," said Lopez, of the first tattoo he gave Messi, on the right arm.
NEY
Messi didnt take long to bring Neymar into the picture. "I gave him an ambigram tattoo in which you can read 'family' and the other way up, 'for ever', the artist explained to La Nacion.
Leo one day changed roles and tattooed the No 10 on Lopez's right hand, the number he wears for club and country.
The relationship between messi and the artist is very fluid. The designs of the artist have gained global fame. "Messi grabs anything with his tattooed hand, hugs a team-mate, and the tattoo is viewed around the world. He sends me the photos of the games where it's seen."
