Breaking News: Phil Foden unveils the truth behind the tattoo on his neck and the touching meaning behind it

 

 

Phil Foden’s neck tattoos both have significant meanings to the young Manchester City and England star.

While tattoos have become incredibly popular over the generations, they don’t always have to have a meaning – and while some get them to remember loved ones or significant moments in their lives, others choose to get inked because of their simple love of art and/or body modification.

Some footballers’ tattoos are almost impossible to miss. For example, Lionel Messi’s colourful flowers on his right arm, David Beckham’s winged cross on the back of his neck, and Ederson’s striking skull on his throat are all inkings that may spring to mind when you think of your favourite footballers. However, some pieces of art are far easier to skim over – especially when you’re being dazzled by performances on the field.

24-year-old Foden has two tattoos which are always visible, one on either side of his neck which has their own unique meaning to the footballer. Here, The Mirror breaks down the youngster’s tattoos and exactly what they mean.

The number 47

The smaller of Foden’s two tattoos, the Premier League star has the number 47 permanently inked onto the right side of his neck, tucked under his ear. If you’re a Manchester City fan, you’ll know that this is the number that Foden has famously sported since debuting at the Etihad Stadium in 2017.

Like Thierry Henry and the number 14, Kevin De Bruyne with the number 17, and Bastian Schweinsteiger with the number 31, Foden has harnessed his original number given to him by his club, despite another being more suited to his area of play. And if he ever does decide to retire his famous 47 shirt for a 10 in the future, he’ll always have the tattoo as a reminder of his glory days.

Sky is the limit

Foden also has script on the left side of his neck, which reads ‘Sky is the limit’. Created in 2022 by Gabriel Maniak, the sentimental slogan is a reminder that nothing is impossible if you invest enough hard work and time into it. It’s a line that rings particularly true for Foden, who made it all the way through the shark tank of Manchester City’s youth academy to professional level while others around him were released.

And if playing at a professional level wasn’t enough, his performances on the pitch have also been instrumental in his six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and Champions League trophy with City in the narrow space of seven years. The youngster was also a key part of Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad, which would achieve victory over the Netherlands in the semi-finals of Euro 2024, providing a threatening outlet from attacking midfield throughout.

Foden will see if the sky truly is the limit when he takes on Spain in the tournament final on Sunday, having missed out on the Euro 2020 trophy in the cruellest fashion; via penalty shootout to Italy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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