Top 20 best footballer haircuts to try: Which do you like the most?

Top 20 best footballer haircuts to try: Which do you like the most?

Helix Odhiambo
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:27 PM

Football players are famous for trimming their hair in unique styles and fashions, making them attractive and captivating to fans. Some of the best footballer haircuts got inspired by different ideologies and traditions. This article highlights popular soccer player haircuts you might have noticed and which caught your eye.

Popular soccer player haircuts
Football players with some of the most attractive hairstyles in history. Photo: Ralf Pollack, Joe Prior, Alessandro Sabattini, Andreas Rentz, David Ramos, Alex Livesey, Ali Aldaif (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Many fans are attracted to players with cool cuts. Some even shave like their best players to show how much they love them. Some styles are ideal for modern and contemporary men with hot and dazzling looks.

Football players with the best hairstyles

Players like Paul Pogba, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar are known for changing their looks often with stunning haircuts that excite fans. It is easy to notice them at a distance because of their appearance.

Which footballer has the best haircut?

We walk you through the 15 best haircuts for soccer players we have seen over the years. The list includes current and retired stars like David Beckham and Brazilian legend Ronaldo.

20. Abel Xavier

Football players with the best hairstyles
Abel Xavier gestures during his time at Hannover 96 on 14 February 2004. Photo: Ralf Pollack
Source: Getty Images

The legendary Portuguese full-back captured the attention of many people with his bizarre hairstyles. One of the most famous was his mohawk and striking thick braids. Xavier played for Liverpool and Everton during his time.

19. Alex Iwobi

Iwobi's tiny hair braids embody an African style that makes him attractive. The Nigerian striker has enjoyed a remarkable career in the English Premier League as an Arsenal and Everton player.

18. Son Heung Min

Best haircuts for football players
Son Heung-Min of Tottenham Hotspur looks on ahead of the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on 1 March 2023 in Sheffield, England. Photo: Joe Prior
Source: Getty Images

The South Korean skipper is known for his cool hairstyles that make him attractive. Son's curly hair ranks among the best in the current generation.

17. Gerard Pique

Pique has shaved many styles in his career, including a falling forehead haircut that makes him look good and admirable. He is a former Barcelona player and one of the most decorated footballers in history.

16. Ronaldo

Best haircuts for soccer players
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima of Brazil looks on during the 2002 FIFA World Cup held in South Korea and Japan. Photo: Alessandro Sabattini
Source: Getty Images

Ronaldo's unique haircut in the latter stages of the 2002 World Cup left many people talking, from his teammates to fans. The Brazilian superstar decided to shave most of his hair, leaving a triangle right at the front ahead of the 2002 World Cup semi-final against Turkey. He went on to help his country lift the glory and became even more famous for his haircut.

15. Mohammad Salah

The Egyptian's rocky hairstyle has also made headlines as one of the best in football. His curly hair serves the overall purpose of fashion, trend and elegance. Salah is one of the most gifted African footballers in the Premier League.

14. Roberto Baggio

Famous footballer hairstyles
Italy's Roberto Baggio during their game against Spain in the 1994 FIFA World Cup on 5 July 1994 in Foxborough, USA. Photo: Juventus FC
Source: Getty Images

Baggio was one of the best attacking midfielders of his generation. The Italian legend had memorable moments on the pitch with his unique hairstyle. His iconic ponytail style earned him the nickname "The Divine Ponytail."

13. Carlos Valderrama

Many football fans remember the Colombian international for the magnificent blonde afro that made him stand out. Valderrama was part of Colombia's golden generation in the 1990s. He played for over ten clubs, including Montpellier and Real Valladolid.

12. Arturo Vidal

Popular soccer player haircuts
Arturo Vidal of Flamengo warms ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final match against Al Hilal SFC at Stade Ibn-Batouta on 7 February 2023 in Tanger Med, Morocco. Photo: Michael Steele
Source: Getty Images

The Chilean midfielder is known for his bold tattoos and stylish wild haircut, making it easy to recognize him from a distance. His mohawk cut is among the famous footballer hairstyles. Vidal's cut got inspired by former German footballer Christian Ziege, who had a similar style in the 2002 World Cup.

11. Kylian Mbappe

What is Kylian Mbappe's haircut called? The French star has a dapper buzz cut with a mid-skin fade. It is one of the best footballer haircuts in 2023. A simple and unique style that makes him attractive.

10. Ronaldinho

Which footballer has the best haircut?
Barcelona's Ronaldinho during their UEFA Europa League game against Broendby at Camp Nou on 26 February 2004. Photo: Andreas Rentz
Source: Getty Images

Ronaldinho's iconic long curly hair is among the most cherished soccer looks and styles across the globe. The Barcelona legend entertained fans with his dazzling talent. Many fans enjoyed watched his him dribble past opponents and playing with his messy hair and brilliant smile.

9. Paul Scharner

Scharner had one of the fascinating haircuts for football players in 2009. The Austrian decided to go for a half-and-half black-and-white style. He was an Austrian defender who played for SV Salzburg, Wigan Athletic, and West Bromwich Albion, among other clubs.

8. Phil Foden

Best haircuts for soccer players
Phil Foden of England runs with the ball during the UEFA Euro 2020 semi-final match against Denmark at Wembley Stadium on 7 July 2021 in London, England. Photo: Laurence Griffiths
Source: Getty Images

The Manchester City star imitated Paul Gascoigne's blonde hairstyle in the Euro 2020. It is known as the Gazza-style haircut. Gascoigne had the cut in the Euro 96, where England reached the semi-finals. In 2020, Foden starred as the Three Lions finished as runners-up.

7. Neymar

Neymar is one of the most stylish footballers globally. Over the years, he has surprised fans with the most iconic haircuts during his time at Santos, Barcelona, and PSG. His library of hairstyles includes short white-grey hair with a buzz cut, pink hair with shaved sides, and a flat mohawk mullet cut.

Famous footballer hairstyles
Barcelona's Neymar celebrates after scoring during the Copa del Rey round of 32-second leg match against Cartagena at Camp Nou on 17 December 2013 in Barcelona, Spain. Photo: David Ramos
Source: Getty Images

If you have to pick one, his famous mohawk with patterns of highlights and angled waves stand out.

6. Gareth Bale

The former Wales captain features in the list because of his long undercut hair and a bun. The Welshman has earned many admirers who like his rocking style. Bale is one of the most decorated footballers of his generation.

5. Paul Pogba

Popular soccer player haircuts
Paul Pogba of Manchester United acknowledges the crowd after the Premier League match against Southampton at Old Trafford on 30 December 2017 in Manchester, England. Photo: Alex Livesey
Source: Getty Images

Over the years, Pogba's unique haircuts have made headlines. His leopard-print mohawk in 2016 at Manchester United is the most outstanding. Another unique style by the French midfielder was blue and white streaks in his hair ahead of Man United's clash with Villareal in a UEFA Champions League fixture in 2021.

4. Mario Balotelli

Mario Balotelli, one of the most controversial footballers in history, has shaved different styles during his career. They include shot hair, mohawk, blond, and straightened style with a line on the inside. His mohawk version in 2014 while at Liverpool is the most iconic one in his collection.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo

Best footballer haircuts in 2023
Nassr's forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the Saudi Pro League football match against Al-Fateh at Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium in al-Hasa on 3 February 2023. Photo: Ali Aldaif
Source: Getty Images

Ronaldo is arguably the most fashionable player in the current generation. He is known for fade cuts and slick backs, which have earned him millions of admirers. His short, spiky-cropped hairstyle is also famous globally.

2. Lionel Messi

Football players with the best hairstyles
Leo Messi looks on during a Paris Saint-Germain training session on 1 March 2023 in Paris, France. Photo: Aurelien Meunier
Source: Getty Images

The Argentine legend is widely considered the greatest footballer of all time. Besides his genius on the pitch, Messi has inspired many with his unique haircuts like bleach blonde hair, crosscut quiff, and the shaggy mop. One of his most popular ones is the dyed hairdo with platinum blonde tips.

1. David Beckham

Haircuts for football players
David Beckham of Manchester United '99 Legends celebrates victory against FC Bayern Legends at Old Trafford on 26 May 2019 in Manchester, England. Photo: Matthew Ashton
Source: Getty Images

Beckham had one of the best haircuts for football players during his time. He was known for trending hairstyles, including a mohawk in 2001. The legendary England captain graced the cover of many magazines because of his attractive looks.

Who has the best hair in the Premier League?

In 2020, Tottenham Hotspurs'' striker Harry Kane was voted the best player with the most stylish hair in the Premier League by a section of fans. During the 2020/2021 season, Kane's slick look saw him beat David Luiz, Hugo Lloris, and Paul Pogba.

However, in 2023, Kane faces competition from other players, Jesse Lingard, Roberto Firmino, Granit Xhaka, Raheem Sterling, and Mohamed Salah.

Best haircuts for American football players

Best haircuts for American football players
Kansas City's duo, Travis Kelce (L), Patrick Mahomes (M), and DeAndre Hopkin of the Arizona Cardinals (R). Photo: Christian Petersen, Carmen Mandato, Cooper Neill (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

The National Football League also has players with awesome hairstyles over the years. Travis Kelce's mid-bald faded undercut is arguably the most stylish in the NFL. Deandre Hopkins, with his long and thick dreadlocks, and Patrick Mahomes' wide mohawk with a bald fade on the sides, are among the most impressive cuts.

Many people have emulated some of the best footballer haircuts to recognize their soccer heroes. Meanwhile, most players have specific barbers they trust and prefer to give them the cut they need. Some styles may look simple, but they are expensive and takes time to complete.

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Authors
Helix Odhiambo photo
Helix Odhiambo
Helix Odhiambo is an award-winning Kenyan journalist and content creator with over 6 years of experience. In 2016, he won the Goal Blaze Correspondent Award for young writers.