The world of football fanaticism knows many examples of crazy devotion, but the story of Brazilian model Suzy Cortez holds a special place on this list. The former Miss BumBum winner, whose name has long been synonymous with shock value and passion for football, has once again attracted public attention with her revelations about body art. For 27-year-old Suzy, tattoos are not just decoration, but a chronicle of her love for Catalan „Barcelona“ and its main idol, Lionel Messi. However, recent events in the sports world have forced the model to reconsider her priorities and turn her gaze to the rising generation of stars, sparking a heated discussion among tattoo culture fans and football analysts.
Suzy Cortez’s collection of tattoos dedicated to the Argentine forward is striking in its diversity and boldness of placement. The autograph of the Inter Miami star adorns her body, located on her buttocks, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. After the Argentine national team’s triumph at the World Cup in Qatar, Suzy added three stars to her composition, symbolizing the „Albiceleste’s“ three world titles. From a tattoo culture perspective, such works fall into the category of memorial or fan tattoos, where accuracy of detail and symbolism prevail over aesthetics. However, the portrait of Messi’s face, tattooed in a very intimate area – the lower abdomen – caused the greatest resonance.
Expert View: The Psychology and Aesthetics of Intimate Portraits
Getting a portrait of an idol tattooed in an intimate area is a radical step, even for the modern tattoo industry. Experts note that such a choice of location indicates a desire to maximally personalize the connection with the object of worship. In 2021, Cortez admitted that this image of Leo had repeatedly caused comical and even awkward situations in her personal life. According to the model, seeing Messi’s face at a crucial moment led to her partners „failing.“ This highlights the powerful psychological impact of a portrait tattoo: a realistic depiction of a living person in an intimate context creates a „third wheel“ effect, which can be confusing and disrupt the atmosphere.
The technical complexity of such works is worth noting. A portrait on the abdomen requires the highest level of skill from the artist, as the skin in this area is subject to changes, and the area itself is extremely painful. Suzy got this tattoo in honor of Messi’s sixth Ballon d’Or, and she has no intention of stopping – she plans to replicate the tattoo that adorns the footballer’s left leg. This demonstrates the classic path of a tattoo collector: from individual symbols to complete replication of the idol’s style.
A New Era for „Barcelona“: From Messi to Lamine Yamal
Although Lionel Messi will forever remain in the heart and on the body of the Brazilian woman, Suzy Cortez closely follows the transformation of her favorite club. Having lived in Spain on an exchange program as a teenager, she absorbed the philosophy of the „Blaugrana.“ Today, the model claims that Messi’s legacy is in good hands. She names the young Lamine Yamal as the club’s main hope. Suzy is convinced that Barcelona’s number 10 is not just a number, but a symbol of generational continuity from Maradona and Ronaldinho to the present day.
The comparisons Cortez makes are ambitious: „Lamine Yamal is already more significant than Vinícius Júnior and Mbappé combined.“ Combined with the experience of players like Marcus Rashford, Barça’s attack, according to the model, becomes virtually invincible. This shift in attention from the old guard to the new is an important aspect of fan psychology. In tattoo culture, this often leads to the creation of „layered“ works, where new heroes are integrated into existing compositions, creating a complex visual narrative.
Football Context and Current Events
Suzy’s statements came against the backdrop of significant successes for „Barcelona.“ The recent victory over Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final confirmed her words about the beginning of a new cycle of Catalan dominance. Although Yamal did not score in that match, Raphinha’s decisive strike in the second half brought the club the coveted trophy. These events coincided with major upheavals among their main rivals: Xabi Alonso left his post as head coach of the „Merengues“ after a turbulent seven-month period.
| Suzy Cortez’s Tattoo | Event / Meaning | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Lionel Messi’s Autograph | Devotion and admiration | Buttocks (Miss BumBum) |
| Messi’s Portrait | Player’s 6th Ballon d’Or | Lower abdomen |
| Three Stars | Argentina’s victory at the 2022 World Cup | Buttocks |
| Copy of Messi’s leg tattoo | Planned for the future | Leg |
For Suzy Cortez, football is not just a game, but a life etched in ink. Her story shows how deeply sport can penetrate a person’s private life, becoming part of their identity. As Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Rashford lead „Barcelona“ to new heights, we can expect that new works of art dedicated to the heroes of the new era will soon appear on the body of the famous Brazilian. After all, a fan’s skin is the most honest canvas on which the history of great victories and personal affections is written.