Jerome Boateng: Proud Of His Roots

Jerome Agyenim Boateng and his elder brother Kevin-Prince wrote their own piece of football history as they played against each other in the FIFA World Cup two years ago.

Born in Germany to a Ghanaian father but different German mothers, the siblings chose different paths during their FIFA World Cup debut in South Africa. Jerome played in the heart of the German defence and Kevin-Prince as a key part of Ghana's impressive run to the quarter-final.

Born in Berlin in 1988, Jerome has never visited his fatherland but he nonetheless shows his connection to his roots through his massive tattoos.

In fact, the Boateng sibling love tattoos, with the taller Jerome’s upper left arm displaying an outline of Africa with the word GHANA boldly written inside. His lower right arm has his Ghanaian name Agyenim boldly tattooed on it, one of the ways 23-year-old Jerome shows his close connection to the land of his father.

The Bayern Munich defender is more cultured compared to the ‘wildman’ personality of AC Milan’s Kevin-Prince, who was the role model of his kid brother.

He was also an admirer of American basketball icon Michael 'Air' Jordan's effortlessness, elegance and his reading of the game.

It goes without saying that Jerome has a weakness for tattoos, and each has a special meaning to him. Not surprisingly, Kevin-Prince has 26 tattoos all over his torso.

His family tree is tattooed on his back with 23 names, including those of his twin daughters Soley and Lamia.

It is equally not surprising that Jerome admits being a huge fan of footwear and reportedly owns more than 400 pairs of shoes.