'They're about the important people in my life': A look back at David Beckham's 40 tattoos and the special meaning behind each design

By Nola Ojomu and Marc Jackson for MailOnline

Published: 11:10 EST, 4 August 2015 | Updated: 18:53 EST, 4 August 2015

He just got the number '99' added to his extensive tattoo collection to mark one of the happiest years of his life.

And it is safe to say that David Beckham's love of body art will see him squeeze many more inkings into his already intricately decorated physique.

Now as the 40-year-old sporting superstar has as many designs as years on the clock, MailOnline takes a look at how his love of body art has grown over the past few decades - and what each tattoo means to him…

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Work of art: With the 40-year-old superstar sporting as many designs as he has years on the clock, MailOnline takes a look at how his love of body art has grown over the past few decades - and what each tattoo means to him

Work of art: With the 40-year-old superstar sporting as many designs as he has years on the clock, MailOnline takes a look at how his love of body art has grown over the past few decades - and what each tattoo means to him

Most recently, David got the number '99' tattooed on his little finger to mark the year he got married to wife Victoria.

Debuting it on Instagram, the retired footballer wrote, '99 was a good year for me.'

Weeks before that, he had the words Pretty Lady inked above his daughter's name Harper on his neck, in honour of his Harper's fourth birthday.

David first went under the needle in 1999 after the birth of his oldest son, Brooklyn. 

Tattoo lover: It is safe to say that David Beckham love of body art will see him squeeze many more inkings into his already well-decorated physique

Tattoo lover: It is safe to say that David Beckham love of body art will see him squeeze many more inkings into his already well-decorated physique

He is thought to have caught the bug from Spice Girl Mel B’s then husband, Jimmy Gulzar, and ended up getting his son’s name in a classic Gothic script to commemorate Brooklyn’s arrival into the world.

In 2000, he was back at the tattoo studio and emerged with a large guardian angel in the middle of his upper back.

The sweet idea behind the design is that the angel is watching over Brooklyn’s name below. 

Just for you: Most recently, David got the number '99' tattooed on his little finger to mark the year he got married to wife Victoria

Just for you: Most recently, David got the number '99' tattooed on his little finger to mark the year he got married to wife Victoria

His lovely lady: Weeks before that, he had the words Pretty Lady inked above his daughter's name Harper on his neck, in honour of his Harper's fourth birthday

His lovely lady: Weeks before that, he had the words Pretty Lady inked above his daughter's name Harper on his neck, in honour of his Harper's fourth birthday

In the same year, David pledged his devotion to wife Victoria with a tattoo of her name in Hindi script. Experts later pointed out the tribute, unfortunately, actually said 'Vihctoria'.

After the birth of their second son Romeo in 2002, David added his name above the guardian angel - which had been tweaked and given impressive wings.

Shortly after his Romeo addition, David chose to get the number 7 tattooed on to his inner arm in Roman numerals. As football fans will know, the number is special to the former midfielder as it’s the number on his shirt for Manchester United and England.

In 2003, he got a Latin inking on left inner arm reading ‘So that I love and cherish’ and ‘Sipritual perfection’ onto his right.

Starting out: David first went under the needle in 1999 after the birth of his oldest son, Brooklyn, having his name tattooed at the bottom of his back. He followed that design with tributes to his other sons, Romeo and Cruz

What an angel: The footballer then followed his Brooklyn tattoo with a guardian angel, which he added wings to during a later session

What an angel: The footballer then followed his Brooklyn tattoo with a guardian angel, which he added wings to during a later session

The thought was there: Inn 2000, David opted to have his wife’s name tattooed in Hindi on his left arm, unfortunately for him, the artist spelled her name 'Vihctoria'

The thought was there: Inn 2000, David opted to have his wife’s name tattooed in Hindi on his left arm, unfortunately for him, the artist spelled her name 'Vihctoria'

David took a break for several years, before having the number 7 – his shirt number for Man United and England – inked on right forearm in 2002

David took a break for several years, before having the number 7 – his shirt number for Man United and England – inked on right forearm in 2002

Sign of the cross: Another religious emblem came in 2004, when he added a winged cross to the nape of his neck

Sign of the cross: Another religious emblem came in 2004, when he added a winged cross to the nape of his neck

Out on a limb: David couldn't resist indulging in another inking the same year, this time a large portrait of an angel with the words 'In the face of adversity'

Out on a limb: David couldn't resist indulging in another inking the same year, this time a large portrait of an angel with the words 'In the face of adversity'

Later in that year, he celebrated his move to Real Madrid by flying over his tattooist Louis Malloy to create the cross design on his back. 

In more recent years, he has moved away from his crowded arms to create works on his torso, including a religious scene depicting Jesus being carried by three cherubs, believed to represent him and his three sons, a scene of a woman in a forest over the right-hand side of his chest and in 2010, added an image of Jesus below his ribcage.

The image is based on a painting called The Man Of Sorrows by Catholic artist Matthew R. Brooks and is believed to be another tribute to his granfather Joe, who passed away aged 83 the year before.

Speaking about how he chooses his designs, the iconic star has explained: ‘They’re about the important people in my life, who I want to have with me always.'

In fact, many of the body art is to honour his beloved family. For wife Victoria, designs include her name, '99', the year of their wedding, '2006', the year of their commitment ceremony, a depiction of her Brigitte Bardot-themed shoot for Pop magazine, a chain of 10 roses to mark their 10th anniversary. 

And another: The footballer has 'Death and life have determined appointments. Riches and hour depend upon heaven' written in Chinese script along his left side. This design came in 2008

And another: The footballer has 'Death and life have determined appointments. Riches and hour depend upon heaven' written in Chinese script along his left side. This design came in 2008

Holy moly: The star continued with his religious theme and added a portrait of Jesus Christ in 2010. The image is based on a painting called The Man Of Sorrows by Catholic artist Matthew R. Brooks and is believed to be another tribute to his grandad, who passed away the year before

Holy moly: The star continued with his religious theme and added a portrait of Jesus Christ in 2010. The image is based on a painting called The Man Of Sorrows by Catholic artist Matthew R. Brooks and is believed to be another tribute to his grandad, who passed away the year before

For his children, all four kids have their name inked on David's body, while he has cherubs to represent his three sons and 'Pretty Lady' for his only daughter. 

'Mine are all about the people in my life, my wife and sons, who I want with me always,'David has previously said. 

'When you see me, you see the tattoos. You see an expression of how I feel about Victoria and the boys. They're part of me.' 

Despite now being in his forties, David appears to have no desire to put an end to his permanent, and expensive, hobby. 

The father-of-four has previously revealed that he has no regrets about any of his inkings, saying: 

'I don't regret any of them. They all have a meaning. I think that's what's important about tattoos, if they have a meaning you'll never regret them.' 

Overcrowding: Becks' left arm is among his busiest, with tattoos of another angel, alongside the words: 'Let them hate as long as they fear'

Overcrowding: Becks' left arm is among his busiest, with tattoos of another angel, alongside the words: 'Let them hate as long as they fear'

Posh tribute: Among several tattoos dedicated to Victoria, his most significant came in 2007. The large design is inspired by a Brigitte Bardot-inspired shoot she did for Pop magazine, said to be one of his favourites. The phrase 'forever by your side'  was later added to the bottom of the tattoo

Posh tribute: Among several tattoos dedicated to Victoria, his most significant came in 2007. The large design is inspired by a Brigitte Bardot-inspired shoot she did for Pop magazine, said to be one of his favourites. The phrase 'forever by your side'  was later added to the bottom of the tattoo

In his heart: The star decided to move his designs away from his packed arms and added another religious scene to his chest. The scene depicts Jesus being lifted by cherubs, said to represent him and his three sons

In his heart: The star decided to move his designs away from his packed arms and added another religious scene to his chest. The scene depicts Jesus being lifted by cherubs, said to represent him and his three sons

A new lady: In 2013, David showed off a prominent design on the right side of his chest, depicting a woman in a forest

A new lady: In 2013, David showed off a prominent design on the right side of his chest, depicting a woman in a forest

New additions: Most recently, Becks has added another pair of wings under his arm, as as the head of an Indian chief

New additions: Most recently, Becks has added another pair of wings under his arm, as as the head of an Indian chief

Distinctive: The 40-year-old have previously spoken about his body art saying, ‘They’re about the important people in my life, who I want to have with me always'

Distinctive: The 40-year-old have previously spoken about his body art saying, ‘They’re about the important people in my life, who I want to have with me always'

Working up a sweat: The hunk showed off his designs on Tuesday as his visited his daily Soul Cycle session in Los Angeles

Working up a sweat: The hunk showed off his designs on Tuesday as his visited his daily Soul Cycle session in Los Angeles

Legs be seeing you: While David's upper body is mostly covered in designs, he has left his legs bare
Legs be seeing you: While David's upper body is mostly covered in designs, he has left his legs bare

Legs be seeing you: While David's upper body is mostly covered in designs, he has left his legs bare

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