Footballers and tattoos go hand in hand—some get meaningful tributes, some get artistic masterpieces, and others… well, make questionable choices (we’re looking at you, Amato Ciciretti, with your Twitter handle permanently inked). From David Beckham’s celestial designs to Jadon Sancho’s love for video games and cartoons, footballers’ ink tells a story.
And then there’s former Republic of Ireland international Damien Delaney, who went full chaos mode with The Joker holding a gun on his forearm.
But today, we’re here to talk about Liverpool’s midfield maestro, Alexis Mac Allister, and the ink that marks his journey through life and football. The Argentinian has made 40 appearances in the heart of the midfield for Liverpool this campaign and has become the trusted midfield general of Arne Slot. He has racked up 5 goals and 4 assists this season, helping Liverpool reach the summit of the Premier League.
But like we just mentioned, we are here to decode the stories behind the ink of the World Cup winner and in an interview which was part of Carlsberg’s Inked campagin last year with Liverpoolfc.com the man himself shared the ‘why’ of it all.
So without wasting further time, let’s get cracking!
The Numbers That Matter
First off on the list, we have the number 98. If you’ve ever noticed the ‘98’ tattooed on Mac Allister’s arm, it’s not just a random number—it marks the year he was born.
Not stopping there, he has the date of his professional debut with Argentinos Juniors and the date the club was promoted to the top flight inked on his body. If you’re a fan of sentimental tattoos, this is exactly how you do it.
Trust Yourself and Your People
Among his many inked messages, one stands out in looping cursive: “Creé en ti y en los tuyos.” Translated, it means, “Trust yourself and your people.” A simple yet powerful philosophy, Mac Allister carries this belief with him, quite literally, wherever he goes.
A Tribute to Family
Mac Allister is a family man through and through. His tattoos reflect that, with the word “familia” proudly inked on his skin, accompanied by the names of his parents and two elder brothers. But hold on—there’s someone missing. As Alexis himself admitted,
“I’m still missing my sister, but I will get it done,” he confessed with a grin. “I know she thinks about it, so I want her to be here as well. Loyalty is so important, and of course, something I receive from my family. They are the most important people in life. When you go through a good moment, everyone is there. But when you go through a bad moment, the family is always there. They are very important for me, and of course, they know how much I love them.”
The Most Iconic Ink: Jesus and a Roulette Wheel?
Among his many tattoos, one of the most prominent is the image of Jesus Christ on his bicep, complete with a crucifix just below it. A deeply personal and spiritual piece, it symbolizes his faith and beliefs.
But then, there’s the roulette wheel on his elbow—a design that might not have aged well.
Mac Allister himself acknowledges this might have been a misstep:
“I could say I maybe regret that one because I got a roulette, and some people think that I like to gamble or like roulette, and that’s not the case, of course.”
Lesson learned: always think twice before getting a tattoo that could make you look like a high-stakes poker addict.
The Love for Football in Ink
One of his most touching tattoos features a child holding a football, walking toward a hut. Mac Allister explained its significance, saying,
“It basically means how much I love football.”
It’s a tribute to the beautiful game, a permanent reminder of where it all started for him.
The Future: More Ink to Come
Having recently won the World Cup with Argentina, it’s only natural that Mac Allister wants to commemorate the triumph on his body.
“I want to get my tattoo about the World Cup first, and then, of course, I will get something about Liverpool because since the first day, I felt a really good connection with this club, and I’m really happy to be here.”
His arms are nearly full of tattoos, but he’s already considering expanding to his back. Perhaps, if Liverpool lifts the Premier League trophy this season, we might see a new addition.
Mac Allister’s tattoos tell a story of family, faith, football, and a couple of impulsive decisions—much like the inked tales of footballers before him. From legendary sleeves to outright bizarre choices (again, shoutout to Ciciretti’s Twitter handle), the football world is never short of tattoo inspiration—or cautionary tales.
