Ahead of England’s opening match against Serbia in Euro 2024, keen-eyed supporters spotted Joe Hart sporting an odd tattoo on his arm. The former Three Lions goalie’s clothing showed off the very unusual ink on his bicep while he was part of BBC Sports’ commentary crew for the match in Germany.
After Celtic won the Scottish Premiership, Hart hung up his gloves for good at the end of the 2023–24 season, ending his playing career. After joining BBC Sport’s punditry team, the former Manchester City and West Ham United custodian has quickly gained the affection of his fans, who are now accustomed to seeing him on their TV screens.
During the aforementioned summer 2024 match against Serbia, Hart worked for the BBC and stayed on the pitch the entire time, sharing his opinions about some players he had lined up with for the national team in the past and others he had never had the opportunity to share a dressing room with. Although his observations were intriguing, spectators were perplexed by his striking tattoos.
Joe Hart’s Bizarre Tattoo
Fans couldn’t take their eyes off it
Tattooist "What would you like?"
Joe Hart "Gaffer tape" pic.twitter.com/aSRj16lgYP— Jacko (@Jackdoggydogg) June 16, 2024
Around his wrist and arm, the ink in question resembles black tape quite a bit. It’s clear that not everyone likes the way it looks. However, why is the tattoo so daring? In fact, Hart has already discussed the reasoning behind the choice.
The 37-year-old posted pictures of the tattoo to his Instagram account back in 2019 along with the following caption:
Since this is the only time of year I could take on this, you are the guy, @hanumantra. Thank you for squeezing me in and doing a fantastic job!
“I’ve put on my armour now; let’s see what happens next. I am aware that not everyone has the same taste, but this truly captures who I am, and I appreciate you making it possible.”
Although Hart was aware that not everyone would approve of the design, he felt the armour-style ink was appropriate for his persona and thanked his tattoo artist, Hanu Mantra. The idea makes sense because, as a goalie, he was accustomed to being in the thick of things and occasionally involved in battles.
Hart’s tattoo artist told Lancs Live that the goalie can “feel empowered and protected as though a layer of tattoo armour is placed upon them, creating a modern-day warrior ready for today’s battles.”
https://www.instagram.com/joehartofficial/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=77bc0855-9504-43b2-8c99-c688ae1254f2
The England record of Joe Hart: Caps, 75 goals allowed, 48 clean sheets, 43 yellow/red cards, 1/0
Joe Hart as a Pundit After Football
Now working for Match of the Day
After ending his playing career, Hart chose to pursue a career in media and entered the realm of punditry. A lot of former professionals get into coaching or this kind of business. But Hart has adapted to his new post with ease, receiving accolades from viewers for his professionalism and expertise.
Speaking on his decision to retire from football, the 75-time national team player acknowledged that it was a tough decision because he still felt physically competent, but he had already made up his mind (Sky Sports):
“I reached a stage in my life where I might be leaving, and I was given another chance [at Celtic].” I want to finish strong, at a special place, in a special club, and I don’t want to push that luck. It’s time for me to step aside and let someone else enjoy themselves; that’s just me. I feel fine, and it’s obviously not physical.”
Hart always seemed like a good fit for the realm of punditry because of his impressive professional accomplishments, which included winning league titles in both England and Scotland. Over the ensuing years, he has followed in the footsteps of Roy Keane and Gary Neville by becoming a well-known figure on television.
He got a job on Match of the Day after working for the BBC during the Euros. He has assisted in filling the vacuum created by Ian Wright’s departure, along with fellow former Three Lions international Theo Walcott and former Manchester City and Lioness captain Steph Houghton.
