The best football haircuts

Footballers are often renowned for their style – good or bad – and that frequently extends to their barnets.

There have been some truly extraordinary looks over the years, from the bizarre to the spectacular, although we sadly see fewer daring trims in the modern era. As a result, we’re often forced to look back in time to celebrate the individuality of the football superstar.

Our definition of ‘best’ may be different from yours, but there can be no doubting the haircuts you’re about to see are as iconic as they come.

Here are the best haircuts in football history.

You catch glimpses of the odd ponytail in the modern game but the contemporary iterations pale in comparison to David Seaman’s heroic effort during the early noughties.

Paired with a 1970s moustache, a grumbling voice and 75 England caps, Seaman’s trim is truly iconic. It’s a shame he’s since gone for a short back and sides number.

Vagner Love played for 13 different clubs and Brazil during the course of an intriguing career and he swiftly caught the attention of the world with his bold trim.

The striker’s sharpshooting helped engage audiences but they were likely more interested in his bright blue dreadlocks, which were often being chased by defenders unable to match the South American star.

Certain corners of the internet claim that Marouane Fellaini’s haircut was not merely a stylistic choice but actually a footballing advantage. The Belgian midfielder, who was known for his aerial prowess, boasted a mighty afro for the bulk of his career.

This particular hairdo may have given him the upper hand when contesting aerial duels with centre-halves in the penalty area, although his 6’4 frame and sharp elbows did much of the heavy lifting in that respect.

Mario Balotelli. One of football’s most bizarre protagonists.

The maverick Italian is known for his style on and off the pitch, with his famous glove hat – which was clearly inspired by Wallace and Gromit’s Feathers McGraw – sparking much debate online during his stint with Manchester City.

The fiery forward was also renowned for his striking hairdos, many of which consisted of geometric patterns and a variety of colours – as demonstrated above.

Few Croatian supporters could criticise Ivan Perisic for a lack of…