World Cup footballers keen to keep up with the latest styles. Tattoos, brightly-coloured boots, the Mohawk cut, dyed hair - you name it, they've got it. The world's footballers try to be nothing if not stylish, both on and off the pitch.
And facial hair, it appears, is very much back in fashion. Whether it is US goalkeeper Tim Howard, French striker Karim Benzema, Italian veteran Andrea Pirlo or - perhaps above all - Raul Meireles of Portugal, more and more players are growing beards these days. You might almost think razor blades, for around the "chops" at least, had never been invented.
If not a beard, then how about a moustache, such as the full-bodied one sported by Portuguese player Hugo Almeida. Or even the razor-thin one of Brazilian midfielder Luiz Gustavo, making him look like an old-fashioned Hollywood film idol. As for the coaches, two at least are very smooth-shaven, Italian trainer Cesare Prandelli and German head coach Joachim Loew, who cannot have any facial hair because of his endorsement of skin care products.
But full moustaches? How about the one elegantly sported by Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, 65? Or Spanish trainer Vicente del Bosque, 63, whose moustache really is the genuine article, giving him a wise but some would argue slightly walrus-like appearance? Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso has kept true to his own facial hair, just like his Italian colleague Pirlo, who additionally attracts attention with his shaggy hair. Last year the 35-year-old went on holiday to China and explained later: "I didn't shave and so the beard grew. Then my wife and friends said I looked good with it and so I kept it."
What makes Meireles's facial hair all the more prominent is the fact that he has shaved his entire head except for a tall comb atop the middle of his skull. Benzema's approach is to adopt a beard growing upwards to the point where complete baldness takes over. Similarly, Algerian goalie Rais M'Bolhi's beard appears almost to have slipped down beneath his chin. Some footballers have a saying - "Those who shave, lose." It's a bit of superstition to only apply the razor once a winning streak has been snapped.
However, it is possible to beat the odds and try it the other way, such as happened in the case of Swiss player Admir Mehmedi prior to the opening match against Ecuador. "I thought if I shaved, then I would score a goal," he said. And what happened? After coming onto the pitch as a substitute, Mehmedi scored a goal against Ecuador and turned around Switzerland's fortunes.
Whether a downy sort or goatee, pointed or chin-beard, mutton chops or stubbly, one thing is certain - the only surface guaranteed to be as smooth as the proverbial baby's bottom is that of the football itself. But you only need to go back in time a bit to discover that beards have, historically, adorned the faces of some fabled football stars. Just think of Germany's Paul Breitner with his powerful sideburns, or Brazilian star Roberto Rivelino with his thick moustache. And last but not least, the late Brazilian soccer genius Socrates, looking every bit the philosopher with his full beard and moustache. Unforgettable!
Comments
Comments are closed.