Kostas Tsimikas, Liverpool’s charismatic left-back, has unveiled a deeply emotional tattoo that encapsulates the profound grief he and the club have endured following the tragic loss of teammate Diogo Jota and Tsimikas’s agent, Andreas Kyriakopoulos. Inked on his left hand, the tattoo reads, “Wish you were here, 20,” alongside the initials “AK” and a memorial rose, serving as a permanent tribute to two figures who shaped his life and career.
The design, revealed during Liverpool’s pre-season friendly against Preston North End on July 13, 2025, has captured fans’ hearts, with many on X noting, “He must’ve gone through a lot of loss…” as they reflect on Tsimikas’s emotional journey.
The tattoo’s centerpiece, “Wish you were here, 20,” honors Diogo Jota, who wore the No. 20 shirt for Liverpool before his untimely death in a car crash on July 3, 2025, alongside his brother André Silva. Jota, a beloved figure at Anfield, was known for his clinical finishing and infectious positivity. His passing left the Liverpool squad reeling, with Tsimikas among those hit hardest.
The Greek defender, often seen joking with Jota off the pitch, shared a close bond with the Portuguese striker, making the tattoo a personal testament to their friendship. Liverpool’s decision to retire the No. 20 shirt underscores Jota’s lasting impact, and Tsimikas’s ink ensures his memory endures in a deeply personal way.
Equally significant are the initials “AK,” representing Andreas Kyriakopoulos, Tsimikas’s agent, who also passed away recently. Kyriakopoulos was a pivotal figure in Tsimikas’s career, guiding him from Olympiacos to Liverpool in 2020 and supporting him through the highs and lows of Premier League football. The inclusion of his initials alongside Jota’s tribute speaks to the profound loss Tsimikas has faced in quick succession. The memorial rose, a universal symbol of love and remembrance, ties the design together, its delicate petals contrasting the raw pain of the words. Fans have been struck by the tattoo’s simplicity and depth, with one X post calling it “a beautiful way to carry them both forever.”
Tsimikas revealed the tattoo to teammates Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Federico Chiesa during the Preston friendly, a moment captured by photographers that highlighted the squad’s tight-knit bond. Liverpool’s pre-season tour of Hong Kong and Japan has been subdued, with the club limiting public engagements out of respect for Jota’s memory. The tattoo’s unveiling, however, offered a glimpse into the squad’s collective grief and unity. Tsimikas, known for his infectious energy and nickname “Greek Scouser,” has channeled his sorrow into a lasting tribute, reflecting the camaraderie that defined Jota’s time at Anfield.
The broader football community has also honored Jota and his brother André. Porto and Atlético Madrid, where the brothers played, will hold a memorial friendly on August 3, while Wolverhampton Wanderers, Jota’s former club, plans a permanent memorial and tributes during upcoming matches. These gestures echo the sentiment of Tsimikas’s tattoo: a refusal to let Jota’s legacy fade. Rute Cardoso, Jota’s widow, marked their one-month wedding anniversary with a heartbreaking Instagram post, writing, “Forever, your white girl,” further amplifying the emotional weight of the moment.
Tsimikas’s tattoo is more than ink; it’s a window into his heart, capturing the dual loss of a teammate and a mentor. For fans, it’s a reminder of the human side of football, where bonds forged on and off the pitch endure beyond tragedy. As Liverpool navigates a season without Jota, Tsimikas’s tribute ensures that both he and Kyriakopoulos remain ever-present, etched in skin and memory.
