Let’s be honest, Leny Yoro is one of the best young upcoming center-backs in the game. Last year he ensured LOSC Lille finished in the top 4 in Ligue 1, having started 32 out of 34 fixtures domestically and helping his side secure 15 clean sheets over the entire campaign in his breakout season at the young age of 18. Yoro was the 5th highest appearance maker in that Lille side, all at the tender age of 18.
His performances were awarded when he was named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season for 2023-24 and also when he was nominated for Ligue 1’s Young Player of the Year award. This rapid rise of the young French defender led to a host of clubs being interested in him this summer window, including the likes of Real Madrid and PSG.
But it was Manchester United who managed to sign him amidst competition from top clubs this summer window for a whopping £58.9m. On joining the red side of Manchester, the defender expressed his excitement by stating,
Signing for a club with the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honour. Since my first conversations with the club, they set out a clear plan for how I can develop in Manchester as part of this exciting project and showed a lot of care for me and my family.
However, since joining the club, the Frenchman had been cursed with a foot injury, which had kept him out for the initial set period of games for United, up until late November. But after his recent return to the squad, he has helped new coach Ruben Amorim with some notable contributions, including ‘that tackle’ against Darwin Nunez at Anfield a week ago.
While Leny Yoro’s rapid rise at just 18 has been seen on the global stage now, in a surprising turn of events, it’s his striking tattoos that have captured just as much attention off the pitch. But beyond their bold designs, what stories do these tattoos tell about the man behind the jersey?
Let’s dive deep into that.
‘Child Of God’ Tattoo
First off, we have the Child of God tattoo, which Leny Yoro recently got inked on the front side of his left arm. This tattoo has Jesus Christ in the center of it (who referred to himself as the Son of God) with aesthetically crafted wings with ‘Child Of God’ beautifully inked and written using calligraphy.
In the West, this phrase has a lot of religious significance attached to it. It depicts a person’s faith and connection with God himself. Yoro is a believer in the same school of thought, and its his way of showing his connection with God.
Rose-Themed ‘Blessed’ Tatoo
On the same day when Yoro got his Child of God, Tatoo inked; he also got another design on the other arm. This tattoo prominently features the word “Blessed” in bold, elegant script across the forearm. The flowing, intricate lettering is accentuated by a soft, shaded rose petal-themed background that gives the design depth and makes the word stand out. The use of large, stylized calligraphy suggests a strong personal statement.
For Leny Yoro, this tattoo likely reflects a deep sense of gratitude and acknowledgment of the opportunities and successes he’s experienced in life and his football career. The word “blessed” can symbolize appreciation for his talents, the support of family and friends, and the journey that has brought him to where he is today.
This theory is further substantiated when, on his signing day at Old Trafford, he was seen with his entire family and fairly young brothers. On his brothers, Yoro recently stated:
I like to play with my little brothers. They’re 14, 12, and 10—they play football too. They came for my signing and started playing football in the training ground because they love to play football everywhere they go.
Yoro got both of these fresh tattoos in Manchester on November 4th, 2024, when he was recovering from his foot injury, handcrafted and inked thanks to designers of Le Cercle Tatoo, which is a French-based Tatoo design outlet in Lons-le-Saunier, France.
Journalists and fans were in full flow when Leny showed off his fresh pair of tattoos across his social media. Fabrizio Romano, the Italian journalist, posted on X, “Leny Yoro shows his first tattoo since joining Manchester United last summer.”
Fans too were quick to give the green signal to his new tattoos, with one fan stating,
The fact that he feels blessed after joining the best team (Manchester United) in the world means he will come back a beast!
The Ornate Cross on his Arm
Next up, we have the Ornate Cross Tatoo, which Leny Yoro had previously inked on his arm before his new pair of tattoos in November.
The tattoo features an ornate cross (another variant of the holy cross), often symbolizing faith, sacrifice, and strength. Surrounding the cross are what appear to be biblical words or phrases. This combination of a cross with biblical scriptures could signify a deeply personal connection to spirituality, family, and a guiding philosophy that Yoro shares.
Cross Tatoo On His Neck
Finally, we have one of his oldest tattoos spotted across social media, which is the small cross tattoo on his neck. The tattoo is a simple black cross positioned vertically on the side of Leny Yoro’s neck. Its clean, minimal design with straight lines makes it bold yet understated. The placement on the neck ensures it’s always visible, highlighting it as a confident and intentional choice.
The cross typically symbolizes faith, protection, and strength. For Yoro, it may represent his personal beliefs, serve as a reminder of resilience, or symbolize guidance through challenges. The visible placement could also reflect a commitment to staying grounded and focused in both his personal life and career.
So that’s it then—all of Leny Yoro’s tattoos, each inked with purpose and power. From the bold “Blessed” lettering that speaks to his gratitude and confidence to the understated cross on his neck symbolizing faith and resilience, every design tells a story beyond the surface.
These tattoos aren’t just art—they’re a reflection of Yoro’s journey, his values, and his unshakable mindset both on and off the pitch. As he continues to rise in the world of football, one thing’s for sure: Leny Yoro wears his identity proudly—not just in his game but etched permanently in ink.
