Football is a sport celebrated for its flair, passion, and iconic moments, but it’s also a stage for some truly unforgettable hairstyles. From questionable mullets to bizarre dye jobs, footballers have often used their hair as a canvas for self-expression—sometimes with disastrous results.
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Here's our top 10 worst haircuts in football history, showcasing the bold, the bad, and the downright bewildering.
10. Carlos Valderrama – The Blonde Afro Explosion
The Colombian legend’s massive, bleach-blonde afro was iconic… but that didn’t make it good. Valderrama looked more disco than defensive mid. Unforgettable? Yes. Stylish? Questionable at best.
9. Phil Foden – The Euro 2020 Gazza Tribute
Before Euro 2020, Foden dyed his hair silver-blonde in homage to Paul Gascoigne. Unfortunately, instead of vintage Gazza, he looked more like a budget boy band member from 2003.
8. Ronaldo (Brazil) – The Infamous 2002 Triangle
No list is complete without Ronaldo’s 2002 World Cup abomination. The Brazilian maestro shaved everything except a tiny front patch. It baffled fans, opponents, and stylists worldwide. Ronaldo later admitted he did it to distract from an injury. It worked—but at what cost?
7. Bobby Charlton’s Comb-Over (1970s)
Topping the list is Bobby Charlton’s infamous comb-over, a desperate attempt to conceal his baldness. The Manchester United and England legend’s thin strands, painstakingly swept across his scalp, fooled no one and became a symbol of clinging to youth. It was a sad contrast to his heroic on-field legacy.
6. Loco – The Unintentional Meme
Loco may not be a household name like some on this list, but his haircut definitely made waves—for all the wrong reasons. Sporting a chaotic blend of uneven lines, half-faded sides, and a random patch of dyed hair, Loco looked like he lost a bet with his barber. It’s the kind of style that makes teammates laugh and opponents lose focus. Iconically bad.
5. Chris Waddle’s Mullet (1980s)
The mullet was a staple of 1980s football, and Chris Waddle’s voluminous, curly version was a prime offender. Business in the front, party in the back, and chaos all over, this hairstyle defined an era of questionable fashion choices. Waddle’s flair on the pitch was undeniable, but his hair was a different story.
4. Taribo West – The Green Beaded Pigtails
Nigerian defender Taribo West rocked green braids tied into pigtails throughout the ‘90s and early 2000s. Eye-catching? Yes. Practical? Probably not. Ridiculous? Definitely.
3. Paul Pogba – The Leopard Print Madness
Pogba’s leopard-print hairstyle was wild—literally. Dyed spots shaved into his fade, it looked like someone airbrushed a jungle pattern on his scalp. It was bold, unique… and utterly distracting. Critics said he was going for predator, but it came off more fashion safari gone rogue.
2. Roberto Baggio – The Holy Rat Tail
Baggio’s divine right foot couldn't distract from the bizarre hair: slicked-back top, loose strands at the front, and a thin, braided rat tail down the back. It was half Shaolin monk, half ‘90s kung fu movie extra. A spiritual style mistake that somehow fit the most soulful player of his era.
1. David Beckham’s Cornrows (2003)
David Beckham, usually a style icon, took a rare misstep with his 2003 cornrows. The tightly braided look was a cultural mismatch and widely panned as inauthentic. Even Becks couldn’t pull this one off, and he quickly ditched it.
