BBC World Cup pundit Joe Hart's striking black body armour tattoo explained

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart has drawn attention for a large and bold black body armour tattoo that extensively covers his right shoulder, upper arm, and wrist. The prominent piece, completed in 2019, was created by specialist tattoo artist Hanu Mantra, whom Hart publicly thanked on social media for accommodating the extensive sessions required for the detailed work.

The tattoo employs a heavy blackout style, filling large sections of skin entirely with solid black ink. The striking aesthetic draws inspiration from traditional tribal designs and creates a bold, modern appearance. Prior to committing to the substantial shoulder piece, Hart had already experimented with similar thick black bands around his wrists and lower legs beginning in 2017, with these earlier additions following a comparable geometric aesthetic that seamlessly complements the larger armour piece.

Hart has stated that the design "simply represents" him and views the body armour as a personal symbol of strength and readiness for whatever comes next in his life. He has been candid about the tattoo's meaning in interviews, saying: "It started off as just a very thin band and then I moved to Italy and I've seen the kind of band work and the black work and then a friend in Shrewsbury who does it and it just really appealed to me. It doesn't actually mean anything, but I saw it as my armour. I love wearing it. It encourages me to stay fit and healthy and strong."

While Hart acknowledged that the striking body art would not appeal to everyone, he remained completely unapologetic about his choice, emphasising that his own satisfaction with the final result was most important. The revealing of such an unconventional and heavy tattoo provoked significant discussion and debate among football fans online, with some supporters praising the bold commitment while others compared it to a zebra crossing.

The prominent inkwork is set to attract renewed attention from viewers during the FIFA World Cup 2026, where Hart is serving as a pundit for the BBC covering major matches including England v Ghana. His tattoos will be plainly visible should he choose to wear short-sleeved clothing during broadcasts.