Stefano and his Saponara tattoo: “I’ll have Samp on my skin forever”

Riccardo Saponara’s acrobatic backheel volley against Lazio is a hard one to forget, but one Sampdoria fan has gone a step further.

His name is Stefano Pagano, a die-hard Blucerchiati supporter who has just immortalised Riccy’s moment of genius on his skin.

“The tattoo for me has two meanings,” the 20-year-old explained to Samp TV. “First of all, it’s a celebration of that instinctive touch and his ability to produce the goods with a touch of class. It’s also a tribute to away days and the emotions you get from them.

“It could have been just another defeat at the Olimpico after so many kilometres travelled, but in two seconds everything changed. I’ll never forget that moment, it was an amazing feeling.”

Unsurprisingly, Stefano’s Instagram blew up after he uploaded a photo of his new ink.

“Do I regret getting the tattoo? Never. From the minute I got it, I was happy with it,” Stefano continued. “It was this crazy idea that came about suddenly when I was out with my mates. The following day I went to the tattoo artists with the photo in my hand to get it. Even Saponara complimented me on it.”

Indeed, the trequartista insisted on meeting his number-one fan at Bogliasco and posed with him for a few photos. Another moment neither of the two will forget.