Football's Most Iconic Hair Dos and Don'ts

Twenty-first century football players have somehow re-branded themselves as style icons with the world at their feet. They're gifted adonises who every boy wants to be and every girl wants to marry, but that hasn't always been the case.

Oh no, not by a long way.

In days gone by footballers had the most cringeworthy fashion sense imaginable (think the short shorts or the Liverpool Spice Boys white suits) and boasted some of the most mocked mops of hair.

So as all eyes turn to South Africa where the modern crop of stars will show off their skills and their style credentials, we thought we'd cast our mind back to some of the hairstyles that have graced the hallowed turf in years gone by.

Mark Woolley of Electric Salons reminds us of ten of the most memorable footballers hairstyles... ever.

Pat Jennings

Bobby Charlton

Chris Waddle

Pat Jennings
 
Pioneer of 'grown-out cool' this is a less conventional style and really set trends in the 1970s. A more modern version is being seen these days with the side sweep and fringe still in place, but with more structure.

Bobby Charlton
 
Oh dear... The comb-over is now commonly seen as hilarious and a major hair don't. Back in Bobby's day, it was a typical method to hide bald patches. Thankfully, we've moved on.

Chris Waddle
 
The shellsuit and feather cut mullet combo certainly represents the era well.  A classic hair-don't! For the record, Chris's next look, the flat-top won't win him any style icon awards either.

Carlos Valderrama

Edgar Davids

Ronaldo

Carlos Valderrama

Carlos Valderrama's mass, or should I say mane, of afro blonde hair and extravagant style sent shock waves in the 90s and has to be one of the defining hairstyles in recent World Cup history!"
 
Edgar Davids

A classic footballers hairstyle, the dreads are universal and timeless. The length is also easy to tie back, making it perfect for the pitch. 

Ronaldo
 
Easily identifiable and perfect for the pitch, this is a clever way of adding character to a manageable and simple style.

Kevin Keegan

David James

David Ginola

Kevin Keegan
 
Suprisingly exceptionally cool at the time, Keegan launched the popularity of the wet perm that launched a thousand jokes and inspired the Harry Enfield comedy sketch scousers.

David James
 
Wearing a deep side parting that would perhaps seem more traditionally suited to a the boardroom than the pitch, David manages to bring a slick sophistication to football in a style that is becoming more fashionable today.

David Ginola
 
The first poster boy of football, Ginola models just-stepped-out-of-the-salon hair and bagged himself a L'Oreal contract in return. The first of its kind no less.

David Beckham

Credited as the man who single handedly launched the metrosexual trend that still thrives today, Beckham is a pinnacle of style not only in football, but the world over. Attempting risky trends that others would never dare, he always manages to pull them off with aplomb.