Braid It Like Beckham: The 5 Most Memorable Soccer Hairstyles of All Time

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These are the fútbol hairstyles that will make you shout “Goooooooooooooaaallllll!”

The World Cup is upon us again, kicking off a global celebration of The Beautiful Game. But soccer isn’t the only beautiful thing about the World Cup. Professional soccer players know a thing or two about looking good on and off the field, and perfect plumage is a key piece of keeping up their appearance. With World Cup fever gripping the planet once again, stylists may find themselves with clients that want to replicate some of the sharpest looks on the pitch. Here’s a team roster of the iconic ‘dos you’ll want to be familiar with.

David Beckham can shave or save his luscious locks

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Rocking everything from buzz cuts to faux hawks, few heads have shown the versatility of David Beckham’s. The English soccer star is known for his variety of striking looks, though his Quiff haircut has become a defining aspect of his style. With lots of volume and texture complimenting Beckham’s tattooed aesthetic, it’s no wonder he won the heart of a Spice Girl (and millions of fans, too).

Pulling off the perfect Quiff can take a bit of work, specifically when it comes to blow-drying techniques, so make sure to break down the proper maneuvers, heat settings, and product recommendations when working with clients. You’ll also want to ensure they have the firm-hold products they need to keep their hair from looking like a deflated souffle, like Paul Mitchell Super Clean Extra Strong Hold Hair. 

Quinn shows off short hair flair

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Canadian soccer player Quinn has earned quite a few accolades throughout their career, including an Olympic gold medal — making them the first out non-binary, transgender gold medalist in Olympic history. It just so happens that Quinn’s medal pairs perfectly with their short, golden hair, which is beautiful thanks to its simplicity. 

Quinn’s cut is an easy one for fans to replicate. It’s a combover with a bit of a fade around the sides — a perfect option for clients that want to look stylish without spending too much time on their hair each morning.

Zlatan Ibrahimović’s majestic mane

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Zlatan Ibrahimović, he is our Swedish hero. The soccer star is renowned for his acrobatic moves, which have earned him a reputation as one of the greatest strikers of all time. Ibrahimović’s elegant long hair is the perfect complement to his bends and twists, which can often make it seem like he’s playing a game of Twister on the pitch.

Long hair can be high maintenance, so make sure your clients know what they’re in for. Maintaining essential oils, applying heat protection for blow drying, and explaining when and how to keep hair in a ponytail are good conversation topics for first-timers.

Edgar Davids unleashes his dreads

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One of the stars to be featured on the FIFA 100, Pelé’s 2004 list of the greatest living soccer players, Edgar Davids is a midfielder with an impressive career. His iconic playstyle is matched only by his instantly recognizable dreads and goggles look, making him particularly easy to spot.

Davids has talked about the effort it takes to maintain his dreads in interviews, likening it to meditation. Adopting the meditation analogy might even be the best way to set expectations with clients about proper maintenance for dread hairstyles. Using moisturizing sprays and hair oil is always a good bet for dreads, so send clients home with some.

Megan Rapinoe has hair to dye for

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Megan Rapinoe is one of Soccer’s most decorated stars, winning the Baloon d’Or Féminin in 2019 and taking home a gold medal for the US national team during the 2012 London Summer Olympics. Rapinoe was also a key figure in the US Soccer Federation equal pay lawsuit, which ensured that men and women are paid the same rate in all friendlies and tournaments.

Rapinoe’s iconic dyed hair, which switches between pink, white, bleached, and violet, has become a big part of her butt-kicking persona, especially when styled in a swept-back combover. Rapinoe enthusiasts can also adopt the look, but make sure to help them find a suitable hair dye.

Whether you love soccer year ‘round or join in during World Cup season, it’s hard to deny the fashion sense of the men, women, and non-binary folks putting in work out on the field. Studying just a few of their hairstyles can help make an impression with your fútbol fan clients, so it’s worth having some of these options in your playbook.