They were known for their style and flamboyance on the World Cup stage almost 30 years ago. Now they are wowing a new generation of fans with their iconic hairstyles.
Legendary midfield wizard Valderrama pipped his goalkeeper colleague Rene Higuita to come top of an Internet poll by men’s fashion brand Jacamo to find the most distinctive barnets displayed by soccer stars.
The appearance of the iconic duo cheering on the Columbian team in Russia sent votes soaring and social media into a frenzy as Jacamo asked customers to choose the worst ever World Cup haircut.
While four of the current players on display made the top ten cut, it was the mullets of yesteryear that dominated.
With Columbia potentially England’s opponents in the battle to reach the quarter finals, Valderrama, now aged 56, captured the imagination of fans by displaying the same memorable blonde hairstyle he wore in the 1990s.
His effortless playmaking style and instantly recognisable frizzy trademark led him to become one of the most famous of South American footballers. He was nicknamed El Pibe (the Kid). Valderrama has threatened to cut his famous locks if Columbia win the World Cup.
His former goalkeeping playing buddy who sat next to him in the crowd in Columbia’s emphatic 3-0 victory over Poland Rene Higuita achieved a new legion of supporters with his long shoulder length wavy locks which saw him rocket into second place into the league table of famous hair styles. He earned the tag El Loco after a spectacular and eccentric ‘scorpion kick’.
Worst hairstyle by an England player was awarded to Chris Waddle whose pikey layer on top and a full back of the head curtain of hair hasn’t transcended from a footballing fashion that thankfully has had its day.
Next came Kevin Keegan who wore a full poodle term during his most prolific scoring years. David Beckham is remembered for his dyed blonde Mohawk gelled into place in the centre of a head of short mousy brown locks which he displayed in the 2002 World Cup. This was two years after he sported an even worse Mohican style.
Superstar Neymar may be winning plaudits on the field but his eye-catching tousled mop of yellowing bleached hair is failing to find favour with even the most fervent Brazillian fans.
Marouane Fellaini who has yet to make an appearance for Belgium is included for his huge afro style while Anibal Godoy, who failed to sparkle along with the rest of the Panama team in their 6-0 trouncing by England has been ridiculed in the Jacamo poll for his hair preened into a classic “iced gem”, complete with shaved sides and tram-lines.
Ronaldo’s 2002 World Cup appearance with his shaven head and triangular patch didn’t prevent him sealing victory for Brazil. While a stunning performance on the field saw him win the Golden Boot on the field, his bizarre hair cut found him added to the list of least liked hair styles.
Others in the top top were: Scotland’s Graeme Souness and Iran’s Ramin Rezaeian. The Romanian Team of 1998, where every player died their hair blonde received a special mention.
Jenni Bamford of Jacamo said: “It’s not quite Haircut 100, but there are quite a varied display of hairstyles on show every World Cup and this one is no exception. Our poll started out as asking for votes on the worst hair-cuts but the appearance of cheering Valderrama at a game had customers defending his frizzy style. Some loved it, some hated it and we wouldn’t argue with our customers when it comes to taste and fashion. It was certainly the most mentioned so we had to make it number one.
“Of course we all hope this year it will be the England’s players’ ball skills rather than their barnets, that keep us glued to the World Cup action.”
Top mentioned hair styles
1 Valderrama (Columbia)
2 Higuita (Columbia)
3 Christ Waddle (England)
4 Kevin Keegan (England)
5 David Beckham (England)
6 Neymar ( Brazil)
7 Fellaini (Belgium)
8 Ronaldo (Brazil)
9 Graeme Souness (Scotland)
10 Rezaeian (Iran)
Special mention: Romanian Team 1998
