According to a report by The Independent in the UK, ahead of the Euro 2024 final, Dan Thomas, a die-hard fan from Swindon, England, decided to demonstrate his loyalty in a unique way – he chose to have the words “England Euro 2024 Champions” tattooed on his left leg, along with an image symbolizing glory: the Henri Delaunay trophy.
Despite England’s 1-2 loss to Spain in the final, failing to bring home the championship trophy, Dan is not regretful. Instead, this setback has deepened his confidence in England’s football future. He is convinced that four years later, the Euros will be the crucial moment for England to prove its mettle, and Dan has even begun planning to change the “4” in his tattoo to an “8,” as proof of his belief that England can win.
Since winning the World Cup in 1966, the English team has not touched the crown of a major tournament again. However, Dan remains optimistic, describing England’s performance in this Euro tournament as “bittersweet” and highly praising the team’s ability to reach the final. The 29-year-old data analyst said, “We were so close to victory; I have no regrets about my tattoo choice. The only regret might be that I’ll have to change that ‘4’ into an ‘8.’ I have no remorse about it, and I still love it deeply.”
To achieve this eye-catching tattoo design, Dan spent two and a half hours at a tattoo parlor in Swindon, where he even live-streamed the entire tattooing process, attracting over 42,000 viewers online. Tattoo artist Tina Shikarema recalled, “I could hardly believe he would actually do it, but after confirming multiple times, he indeed expressed this conviction firmly. His trust and optimism in the team are truly admirable.”
Dan’s friend and tattoo shop owner Jack Wilkinson revealed that initially, he thought Dan’s tattoo plan was just a joke. “I never thought he’d really get a tattoo until I saw the needle pierce his skin. Dan is a one-of-a-kind character, somewhat unconventional, but his optimistic spirit is his hallmark.”