Cristiano Ronaldo has disclosed his healthy rationale for never getting a tattoo, in contrast to other football players.
Football players and tattoos go hand in hand in the modern game, with many of the greatest to ever wear them flaunting their ink.
While some athletes, like Lionel Messi, David Beckham, Neymar Jr., and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, are not afraid to display their tattoos, Cristiano Ronaldo is one player who has chosen not to get inked.
This is because the 39-year-old has a sweet but stringent reason for never getting inked.
The Portuguese football player stated in 2012 that he would never acquire a tattoo in order to “donate blood more often” to the Italian news website Diretta.
The NHS states that blood donors must wait at least four months before they can donate again after receiving a tattoo or skin piercing.
Because of this, Ronaldo has never had a tattoo or body piercing. Since 2011, he has regularly donated blood and bone marrow, having learned that his national teammate Carlos Martins’ son had been diagnosed with leukemia and required frequent transfusions of both blood and bone marrow.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s thoughts on Blood Donation
Speaking to Spanish radio station Cadena Cope in 2013, via The Sun, Ronaldo said: “He told us about the problem with his son and we, the players, showed great unity to help him and his son because we knew it was a very complicated situation.
“[Donating bone marrow] is something a lot of people think is a difficult thing to do but it’s nothing more than drawing blood and doesn’t hurt.
“I did it many years ago and if I had to do it again I would because this is a very serious disease for many children and we need to help them.”
Since then, the Portugal captain has taken on the role of spokesperson for Abbott, a charity that is encouraging people to give.
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Speaking about the campaign, he said: “We can all make a difference by donating blood.
“Each donation can benefit up to three people in emergency situations and for long-term medical treatments.
“That’s why I am enthusiastic to be partnering with Abbott to bring awareness to the importance of blood donation and to encourage people around the world to become lifelong blood donors and help save lives.”
