PHOTOS: 20 Athletes tattooed to tease

Tattoos are known as an expression of oneself, and it's no different with sportspeople.

Rediff.com presents sport stars who have inked themselves to tantalise! Browse through this  slideshow.

Click NEXT to check out some awesome tattoos!

Anastasia Davydova, Russia’s synchronised swimmer, has her back and buttocks inked with pretty butterflies! 

Russian tennis player Svetlana Kuznetsova says it how it is! 

German high jump athlete Ariane Friedrich lets her competitors know she is on the prowl, always! 

Days after the birth of his son, Barcelona's ace footballer Lionel Messi had his hand imprints and name tattooed on his left leg. 

A moving gesture, we say! 

Swedish diver Jesper Tolvers inks his passion on his back.

Football may be her first love but American soccer star Natasha Kai has sure found another love in body art!

This triathlete has a special moniker for himself and he knows how and where to flaunt it! 

Australian professional boxer, Michael Katsidis is of Greek decent. Here he shows his patronage to his roots with a tattoo depicting the Vergina Sun, which is the symbol of the Greek state of Macedonia.

US high jumper Inika McPherson has gained popularity for her punk look with that heavily inked, fit body and that a super cool haircut!

What a winning combination that! 

Former England soccer captain David Beckham's love for tattoos is now part of modern folklore.

From the names of family members to a portrait of Jesus Christ,  Beckham has shown his love to all through the tattoos on his body!

Also read

- PHOTOS: David Beckham's obsession with tattoos explained

Here we have Cuba's Damian Lopez Alfonso, a paralympian and men's individual C4-5 1km cyclist showing off the artwork on his leg.

Nothing matches a fit body like a load of pretty tattoos inked all over, and, Swedish soccer star Zlatan Ibrahimovic has that perfect match.

The Paris Saint Germain striker has us swooning over that hot bod! 

Tennis player Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic gives us only a sneak peek of her tattoo inked high on her thigh.

So, now you see it, now you don't! 

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson has a unique design tattooed on the left side of his face.

Italian Serie A footballer Cyril Thereau of AC Chievo Verona has beautiful wings inked on his back and has a heavily tattooed arm as well.

Trey Hardee the American tack and field athlete who specialises in decathlon, sports a tattoo of the Olympic rings.

Tennis World No 1, Serena Williams has a tiny heart inked on the back of her neck.

Whether this tattoo was made after finding love in coach and boyfriend Frenchman Patrick Mouratoglou is a million dollar question!

Aussie rules football player Nathan Jones sports a female portrait and some other extensive drawings on his arms and back.

Jordan McClean, who plays Australian Rugby League football for the Melbourne Storm, shows off some 'scary' artwork on his left leg.

Britain's wheelchair tennis player and a finalist at this year's Ladies Wheelchair Doubles at Wimbledon shows her emotions on her back with this telling tattoo.

Player Dane Swan of the Magpies shows off his heavily inked legs during an Australian Football League match.