My tattoo: Adam Hložek

Adam, what's your favourite tattoo?

"That would be the lion on my left thigh. I only have two tattoos at this point. In addition to the lion, I also have the year of my birth, "2022", on my right leg. But I like the lion more. It has a deep, personal meaning for me and gives me strength."

What is that meaning?

"Leo is my star sign and I identify with the animal. The lion is known for its fighting mentality, exudes an aura and is the king of the wilderness. A lion is also depicted on the national coat of arms of the Czech Republic, so there are many points of reference for me."

When did you get that tattoo done?

"It was one and a half years ago between Christmas and New Year. As a footballer, you cannot have any tattoos done during the season. During our summer holiday, the sun is shining almost all of the time and that's not good for your skin, so as footballers we only really have the winter break. With that in mind, I'll have to wait a while longer for my next tattoo."

What do you look for in a tattoo?

"They have to have a personal connection. It's not purely about optics for me; rather, the design should describe the journey of my life. I want it to tell a story that is a good fit for me. I already have several ideas for my next tattoo, which will probably be on my left calf. After that, I might start on my arms, let's see. I still have a lot of space on my skin."

Was it painful when you got your tattoos done?

"Oh yes, especially for the lion. It took five and a half hours in the first sitting, then we took a break and after that it was another five and a half hours. But I'm happy that I got through it. I like it a lot."