Soccer players are often on point with their hair game. Sometimes, they are a bit off target…
Ronaldo
O fenômeno decided to completely shave his head, except for a small patch at the front. It didn’t stop his imperial march, scoring eight goals in seven games during Brazil’s fifth and last World Cup win in Japan and South Korea.
Carlos Valderrama
Don’t let your eyes deceive you: you are not looking at Goldilocks. Valderrama, with his blonde, curly mop, was wreaking havoc in opposing defences in the ‘90s with his magical dribbles and his dangerous passes. The Colombian offensive midfielder is ranked second in MLS history for assists and is the only player to have logged over 20 assists in one MLS season.
Ruud Gullit
If his dreads and his moustache always distinguished him, his three Italian championships and his two Champions League wins put his name in the history books. The former PSV Eindhoven, AC Milan and Chelsea offensive midfielder also put his mark on the Netherlands national team, with 17 goals in the Oranje uniform and the European title in 1988. In MLS, Gullit was the LA Galaxy head coach in 2007 and 2008.
Jermaine Jones
There must be a lot of stuff going through the new Rapids midfielder’s head, as we saw in the New England Revolution’s loss against DC United in the last MLS Cup playoffs. Jones was given the red card after pushing referee Mark Geiger. We still don’t know if these dreads with dyed ends contributed to his six-match suspension, which is still enforced.
Roberto Baggio
Juventus, AC Milan and Bologna were lucky to have such a solid striker in their teams. With 291 career goals, he ranks as one of the top all-time Serie A goalscorers. He also carried the Squadra Azzurra to the 1994 World Cup final in the USA before missing his penalty in the shootout against Brazil. Clearly, his hairstyle was another miss.
David Beckham
English football’s superstar often hit bullseye with his free kicks as well as with his hair. He is behind many hairstyle trends, from a completely shaved head to send the English national team to the 2002 World Cup with a legendary last-minute free kick to his long, blonde hair to win his first trophy with Real Madrid after his Galactico move. He went a bit off track with these cornrows, probably right after a trip down south.
Bacary Sagna
During his years at Arsenal, Bacary Sagna was fairly recognizable on the Emirates Stadium pitch in London. His bleached braids were born during his childhood, after a bet with his father: if young Sagna scored in his next game, he could choose his own haircut. We probably would have chosen something different.
Kyle Beckerman
Dreads, surfer level. Kyle Beckerman has sported his famous long hair for several years. The 15-year MLS veteran with 51 US Men’s National Team caps continues to energize Real Salt Lake’s midfield. We just don’t know if he whips his hair back and forth.
Marouane Chamakh
It looks like the ex-Girondins de Bordeaux striker, who played in the 2009 Trophée des champions game at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, tried to mix a lot of hairstyles together. Shaved on the sides, fohawk on top, long hair just short of a mullet in the back, there’s almost everything you can think of in this. Sometimes, and especially in this case, less is more.
Russell Teibert
The young Canadian MNT and Whitecaps FC midfielder clearly is a fan of the man bun, also worn by a certain Zlatan. At Impact Media, the man bun has been given the red card.
Paul Pogba
The young French star will shine bright like a diamond at the upcoming European Championship, which will take place this summer in his home country. He is already the first name on the team sheet at Juventus and among the European elite. His exuberant style is reflected as much on the pitch as on his head.
David Luiz
Didier Drogba’s former teammate at Chelsea is recognized with one look. His well-stocked, curly hair reminds us of a Simpsons character, but we’re not sure who exactly… The Brazilian central defender also has a well-stocked trophy cabinet: one UEFA Champions League, one UEFA Europa League, two Ligue 1 titles, one Portuguese title and one FIFA Confederations Cup with the Seleção.
Dominic Oduro
We are now accustomed to Freakyfast’s colourful and original hairstyles, like this one for the CONCACAF Champions League final last spring. We can’t say we don’t know who Oduro plays for, even without a uniform.
Michael Salazar
The Belize international striker also sheds the light on his curls. As he waits for his chance to get MLS minutes, we can regularly see his big hair during FC Montreal games in USL.
Anthony Jackson-Hamel
The young striker hailing from Quebec City recently opened a barber shop, De La Cream, in the Mile-End. Some of the players mentioned earlier probably should have scheduled an appointment in Jackson’s shop…
