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Cuts and styles: World Cup’s most distinctive hairdos

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Cuts and styles: World Cup’s most distinctive hairdos There were two players in the Colombian team at the 1990 World Cup who sported whacky hairstyles: their captain and midfielder general Carlos Valderrama and the eccentric goalkeeper Rene Higuita.

Football has had its fair share of balding players, and some of them have ruled the world of soccer with their exceptional skills. Brazil’s Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, and France’s Zinedine Zidane were icons to bald men all around the world.

However, in the 2002 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by Japan and Korea, Ronaldo took the field sporting a semi-circular tuft of hair at the front. It proved to be a lucky charm for him and his team as Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time and Ronaldo scored an overwhelming eight goals to take home the Golden Boot award.

Though Ronaldo or Zidane will top any list for World Cup’s most thrilling players, there are many others who caught the imagination of soccer buffs with their unique haircuts and styles.

As the 2018 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to kick off in Russia on June 14, here’s a look at eight stylish and wild hairdos that lit up the previous editions of the quadrennial event.

Romania go blonde

Romania go blonde The entire Romanian team dyed their hair blonde after beating England in the group stages of the 1998 World Cup.

The entire Romanian team dyed their hair blonde after beating England in the group stages of the 1998 World Cup. The plan was supposed to bring them good luck. Although Romania managed to hold Tunicia in their next group tie, they were eventually knocked out of the tournament in the pre-quarterfinals by Croatia.

Bobby Charlton's 'comb-over'

Bobby Charlton Bobby Charlton, one of the superstars of the World Cup-winning English side of 1966, sported a silly comb-over hairstyle in an attempt to hide a bald pate with a few strands of hair.

Bobby Charlton, one of the superstars of the World Cup-winning English side of 1966, sported a silly comb-over hairstyle in an attempt to hide a bald pate with a few strands of hair. He even justified the decision by saying, “My father was not rich enough to buy me costly hairstyling products.” After being taunted by fans and the media alike, he told his wife that enough was enough and decided to come out as bald.

Ivanov’s retro style

Soccer fans who have watched the 1994 and 1998 World Cups will certainly remember Trifon Ivanov, the maverick Bulgarian defender, for his retro hairstyle. His thick flowing manes and long facial hair, that gave the impression that he was coming straight out of the Stone Ages, earned him the nickname Bulgarian Wolf. There was hushed talk that he sported such a weird hairstyle in order to keep rival strikers away!

Pope star Waddle

Chris Waddle English midfielder Chris Waddle rocked the 1990 edition with his signature mullet hairstyle.

English midfielder Chris Waddle rocked the 1990 edition with his signature mullet hairstyle, which is considered one of the most stylish hairdos of all time in soccer history. Waddle, with his flamboyant football and long silver grazing his shoulders, looked like a popstar on the football pitch. Waddle’s hairstyle became an instant hit among youngsters after he played a stellar role in England’s progress to the semifinals.

Valderrama’s haystack

There were two players in the Colombian team at the 1990 World Cup who sported whacky hairstyles: their captain and midfielder general Carlos Valderrama and the eccentric goalkeeper Rene Higuita. While the former entertained the soccer world with his flamboyant techniques on the field as his massive Afro-blonde hairstyle which dangled on top of his head with every step he took, Higuita charmed the spectators with his frizzy hair and bushy moustache that characterised his unconventional and heart-racing style of play.

West’s green revolution

Taribo West Defender Taribo West is best remembered for his various unusual and colourful hairstyles.

Defender Taribo West, who played for Nigeria in the 1998 and 2002 editions, is best remembered for his various unusual and colourful hairstyles. His green dreadlocks that stretched down from the middle of his head were a treat to watch. Though he sported varied hairdos, the green, antenna-like collections of plaits formed the core of his styles.

Baggio’s ponytail

Roberto Baggio Italian star Roberto Baggio’s ponytail is one of the coolest hairstyles ever sported by footballers.

Italian star Roberto Baggio’s ponytail is one of the coolest hairstyles ever sported by footballers. That peculiar locks were also a reason why the image of him standing heartbroken with his hands on hips after missing the final penalty which cost Italy the 1994 World Cup is still afresh in the memory of soccer buffs.

Radja’s Ninja style

Although superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr will be coming to the World Cup with new hairstyles, one player who will definitely be turning heads with his spectacular looks will be Belgian midfielder Radja Nainggolan. Aptly nicknamed Il Ninja, he has already created ripples in the soccer world with his outrageous blonde mohawk and neck tattoos that lend him the looks of an ancient Japanese ninja warrior.

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