Nascimento Research Paper

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Whether it is in greys or colors, contemporary soccer players have adopted the previously taboo culture of tattoos as a system of expression. Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé is a retired soccer player from Brazil, and he is one of the many who have used their skin as canvases to tell stories that have great value for them. Even though he only got one tattoo, it was an extremely meaningful one. In 1950, he was seven years old when the World Cup was played in Brazil. However, even though the host country got to the final round against Uruguay and it was the favorite team, having the advantage, Brazil lost during the last moments. It was at that moment that Pelé made his dad a promise that would drive his dreams through many years to …show more content…

They start at that age for two reasons: they are legally able to get the tattoos, and they are legally able to sign their own contract with the sport clubs, so it is at that moment that they leave their homeland and their journey begins. Even though most people believe that soccer players ink themselves just because they want to be part of the trend or due to fame, they have other reason, more relevant reasons. Latin American soccer players mark their bodies permanently with ink for several reasons including religious beliefs from their homelands including superstitions; they stain their skin with memorial tattoos that will remind them of the family they have left behind and their support, and to remind themselves of the grief they have faced while staying humble through their …show more content…

For him, it was his mother’s support that got him where he is now today since she was the only one who fully supported his career of choice when everyone else said that he had no chance against the players at the major leagues when he was diagnose with a growth hormone deficiency. Another Latin American player who used tattoos to remember their family is the Brazilian player Daniel Alvez, who imprinted the face of his daughter on his chest after he had to move to Europe in order to further his

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