Why Cristiano Ronaldo Doesn’t Have Any Tattoos
You may have noticed that soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo does not have a single tattoo. In a sport where body ink is incredibly common, the Portuguese superstar has purposely chosen to remain completely tattoo-free, and there’s a specific reason for that.
Ronaldo has revealed that he avoids getting any ink because of his dedication to a cause that a tattoo would temporarily prevent him from.
“I don’t have tattoos so that I can donate blood more often,” he shared in an interview with Italian outlet Diretta back in 2012.
You can give blood if you have a tattoo, but donors must wait several weeks or months after getting their new ink before they can donate blood again. That’s due to the risk of infections tats can pose like hepatitis and a precaution against cross-contamination.
Two countries where Ronaldo has spent a lot of time over the years are England and Spain, and in both places the wait time is four months. Therefore, not having any tattoos means Ronaldo can donate blood without having to deal with those wait periods.
The athlete has long been an advocate for giving blood and led a campaign in 2015 encouraging others to donate.
“We can all make a difference by donating blood. Each donation can benefit up to three people in emergency situations and for long-term medical treatments,” he said. “That’s why I am enthusiastic to bring awareness to the importance of blood donation and to encourage people around the world to become lifelong blood donors and help save lives.”
Ronaldo is a bone marrow donor as well. That decision came about after his former teammate’s son was diagnosed with leukaemia.
“It was the time when Carlos [Martins] was with us on the national team. He told us about the problem with his son and we, the players, showed great unity to help him and his son because we knew it was a very complicated situation,” Ronaldo recalled to Spanish radio station Cadena Cope.
“This is a very serious disease for many children and we need to help them. There’s no age limit to this problem, so I think it’s a good time to tell people they can do it,” the footballer explained, adding, “Donating bone marrow is something a lot of people think is a difficult thing to do but it’s nothing more than drawing blood and doesn’t hurt. It doesn’t cost anything. It’s a simple process, and then you feel happy because you know you are helping another person.”
Ronaldo is an ambassador for Save the Children, World Vision, and UNICEF. He has also previously covered the medical bills of several seriously ill children.
“My father always taught me that when you help other people, then God will give you double,” the Al-Nassr star said. “And that’s what has really happened to me. When I have helped other people who are in need, God has helped me more.”
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