Recently, before one of Portugal’s World Cup victories, an activity by players in Palm Beach Gardens, in the United States, sparked debate. Photographs of the Portuguese team on the beach were criticized by the press, leading athletes and coach Roberto Martínez to defend the team’s schedule.
During the release of images of players in leisure time, a detail on Cristiano Ronaldo’s body caught attention: the absence of tattoos. This characteristic contrasts with that of many other world football stars, such as Lionel Messi and Neymar, who display various body arts.
Portugal’s World Cup performance began with a draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo, followed by an impressive 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan. After a more discreet performance in the initial match, Cristiano Ronaldo shone in the second game, scoring two goals and achieving an unprecedented feat: he became the first player to find the net in six different editions of World Cups.
The reason behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s decision not to have tattoos
Although tattoos have become a common and almost emblematic practice among today’s football players, Cristiano Ronaldo chose a different path. Throughout his extensive professional career, which has lasted more than two decades, the Portuguese striker has maintained his body without any type of permanent design.
The main justification for this choice is linked to an important social cause. Cristiano Ronaldo is a regular blood donor and has also actively participated in bone marrow donation campaigns. He decided not to get tattoos precisely because artistic procedures on the skin impose a period of inability to donate blood, which would interfere with his donation routine.
Restricting blood donations after getting a tattoo is a preventive measure and is directly related to the potential risk of transmitting infections during the process. As the procedure involves piercing the skin with needles, there is a possibility, although reduced in studios that follow strict health standards, of contamination by blood-borne pathogens.
For this reason, blood centers around the world establish a mandatory time interval before a newly tattooed person can donate blood again. In Brazil, for example, the general guideline requires the donor to wait a period of six months after the tattoo session.
In addition to the specifics related to tattoos, the general frequency of blood donations also has defined rules based on the donor’s gender. Men can donate blood every two months, with a maximum limit of four donations per year. Women, in turn, can donate every three months, respecting the limit of three annual donations.