Soccer players are natural trendsetters, on and off the field, inspiring fans with stylish choices that start bold trends in men’s hair and fashion. From modern and edgy to classic sophistication with a twist, the most famous footballers use their hairstyles to make statements that reflect their personalities and brands. In most cases, the best soccer haircuts are often the ones that blend athletic functionality with trendy styling, creating an attractive, flattering look.
In this article, we’ll share some examples of trending soccer player haircuts that are stylish and versatile, offering inspiration for your next visit to the barber. If you’re seeking a new look, discover the coolest hairstyles from iconic footballers like Lionel Messi, Neymar, Eden Hazard, Jude Bellingham and Cristiano Ronaldo to know what to ask for at your appointment.
Popular Soccer Player Haircuts
Lionel Messi – Spiky Crew Cut with Taper Fade
Lionel Messi is widely-regarded as the greatest soccer player in the world, transforming from young superstar to international icon. Known for his skill, vision and humble attitude, Messi has made an indelible mark on the sport, boasting a record 7 Ballon d’Or titles and over 40 major trophies, including 10 La Liga titles, 4 UEFA Champions League trophies, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina. The Argentinian is also the all-time leading scorer for FC Barcelona, La Liga, and the Argentina national team.
Messi’s spiky crew cut with a taper fade features longer, textured spikes on top that tilt slightly off to one side. His hair gradually tapers just above the ears. The cut is edgy and relaxed, paying homage to the footballer’s style. Lately, his signature haircut has been a soft, short comb over with a low taper fade and groomed beard, offering a functional look on and off the field.
Eden Hazard – Crew Cut Fade
Hailing from his native Belgium, Eden Hazard has played for numerous clubs and the national Belgian team. Thanks to his ability to dribble with incredible agility, he has played for clubs such as Real Madrid and Chelsea.
Hazard’s crew cut fade features short hair all over, but the top is slightly longer and thicker. The gradual fade to stubble provides a clean, low-maintenance look.
Granit Xhaka – Side Part Fade
As the captain of the Switzerland national team and midfielder for Bayer Leverkusen, Granit Xhaka is a well-known soccer player with numerous awards under his belt. Xhaka is incredibly versatile on the field and a talented and creative leader, making him a true star.
His sleek side part fade combined with a prominent widow’s peak commands attention, and the slicked-back appearance adds a layer of polish and refinement. The abrupt fade adds sharp contrast, perfectly suiting his dark hair and square face shape.
Kevin De Bruyne – Thick Brush Back
Kevin De Bruyne is another Belgian footballer who lent his playmaking and technical shooting abilities to the Belgian national team and Manchester City. De Bruyne has earned more than 100 caps for Belgium and served as a crucial player in the team’s FIFA World Cup championship.
The midfielder’s thick, strawberry-blonde brushback is a true force on the field, flowing upward and over from the center of his forehead. Bright blonde highlights and caramel lowlights lend an attractive dimension.
Toni Kroos – Undercut
Although retired now, Toni Kroos began his career at Bayern Munich and landed at Real Madrid, ultimately earning four UEFA Championship League trophies. He also played for the German national team, helping them clinch their 2014 FIFA World Cup win.
His signature undercut is recognizable, featuring a strip of longer hair on the top of the head. The shaved part keeps the shorter hair at the sides and back distinctly separate, and slicking it all back with pomade gives the cut a touch of sophistication.
David Beckham – Short Textured Hair with Tapered Sides
David Beckham is one of the most famous footballers in the world and has become a global business and fashion icon. Recognized for his free kicks, crosses and leadership, Beckham played for several elite clubs, including Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, and LA Galaxy, before retiring in 2013. He also captained the English national team for three World Cups. Today, he remains an influential force in the sport and is currently the president and co-owner of Salford City and Inter Miami CF.
Beckham’s signature hairstyle consists of thick, brushed-up spikes with a soft yet messy finish. The sides and back are subtly tapered, pairing well with his neat yet full beard, tattoos, and eclectic fashion sense. A touch of gray adds a theatrical zing that suits Beckham’s personality.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Long Hair
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is an iconic footballer who became Sweden’s number-one goal scorer with 62 goals across 122 games. He won league championships in many countries, including Spain, the Netherlands, France, Italy, and the UEFA Europa League.
Though he has sometimes opted for shorter styles, Ibrahimovic is well known for his long, dark locks. He’s no stranger to buns and ponytails, but off the field, he wears his long curls brushed back on top and at the sides but otherwise tumbling over his shoulders.
Héctor Bellerín – Middle Part Mullet
Spanish footballer Hector Bellorin has been playing since his youth, beginning his career at Barcelona’s youth academy before culminating with Real Betis. He’s won three FA Cups, two FA Community Cups, and the Copa del Ray.
Bellorin’s loose curls look sharp in a modern mullet, featuring shorter hair along the top and sides and slightly longer hair in the back. A thick fringe highlights the distinctive middle part, calling focus to the center of the face, and the length at the back shows off his hair’s naturally bouncy texture.
Paul Pogba – Frohawk
Paul Pogba is a soccer star who has played for some of the most reputable European clubs, such as Manchester United and Juventus. In 2018, he and the French national team won the 2018 FIFA World Cup, adding another title to his collection.
Pogba’s hair is just as dynamic as his career. He frequently sports a frohawk that varies in size and length, and while it is often highlighted blonde on top, this is not always the case. Pogba is also known for shaving intricate designs on the sides, commanding attention on and off the court.
Neymar – Short Curly Hair Fade
Neymar, born Neymar da Silva Santos Junior, plays as a forward for the Brazilian national team and Al-Hilal. Often considered one of the best footballers of his generation, he has won multiple titles, including the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, and Copa del Rey, as well as many Ligue 1 titles and domestic cups.
Neymar has adopted various impressive hairstyles over the years, including variations of the mohawk. However, he is most recognized for his elegant and refined curly hair fade. This style features a neatly trimmed top with a distinguished and pronounced fade on the sides, giving Neymar a sophisticated and polished appearance with a subtle hint of modernity.
Kevin Trapp – Slick Back with Short Sides
Kevin Trapp has been a member of Eintracht Frankfurt, Paris Saint-Germain, and the German national team. He contributed to Eintracht Frankfurt’s victories and played a role in Germany’s 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup win.
Trapp has sported several iconic styles, from a classic crop to a texturized quiff. His slick back with short sides is one of his career’s most suave and cultured cuts, combining practicality with volume and height for a handsome, rugged look – especially alongside a goatee.
Mohamed Salah – Buzz Cut Fade
Mohamed Salah, also known as “Mo,” is an Egyptian footballer who currently plays forward or right winger for Liverpool and captains the Egypt national team. Widely heralded as one of the best players to come out of Egypt, Salah bagged wins such as the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA World Cup, among others.
Salah is famed for his afro, which defined his look for many years. More recently, though, he has opted for a cropped buzz cut fade, a surprisingly youthful move that gives him a fresher, tidier look. The clean lines at the temple and the full beard add some attractive visual balance.
Sergio Ramos – Slicked Back Undercut
Sergio Ramos is respected as one of the greatest defenders in soccer, boasting incredible tackling and aerial abilities. He has spent most of his career at Real Madrid, where he won 22 major trophies, including 5 La Liga and 4 UEFA Champions League titles, captaining the team to multiple victories. He represented Spain at four World Cups and three European Championships, ultimately winning the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and the EUFA European Championship in 2008 and 2012.
Ramos prefers to leave his hair relatively long, particularly on top, so it comes as no surprise that he’s sported several stylish quiffs. He prefers a slicked back style with a distinct skin fade undercut. The style suits his wild personality, tattoos, and masculinity quite well.
Joao Felix – Messy Medium Hair
Joao Felix is a Portuguese soccer player who plays for Chelsea and the Portugal national team. His claim to fame was his club-record transfer cost of €126 million in 2019 when he signed with Atletico Madrid, but he returned to Chelsea in 2024.
Felix is known for his trendy, modern looks. After sporting a crop for some time, he more recently settled on messy medium hair, offsetting his prominent facial features with soft, feathery layers. The longer side parted hair on top tapers to slightly shorter hair at the back and sides.
Son Heung-min – Off-Center Part with Low Taper
Son Heung-min was born in South Korea but began footballing at Hamburger SV in Germany. Later, he moved to Bayer Leverkusen, signed with Tottenham Hotspur and became the most expensive Asian player in football history. He won the Premier League Golden Boot in 2022 and was the first Asian to score 100 goals in the Premier League.
His signature hairstyles are well-groomed and coiffed, including his current off-center part with a low taper, creating a gentlemanly appearance with a touch of textured fringe in front. For more formal occasions, including press releases, Heung-min is known to slick his hair back.
Declan Rice – Full Brush Back with Mid Taper Fade
Declan Rice is a defensive midfielder for Arsenal and the English national team. Known as one of the best defensive midfielders in the sport, he started at West Ham, eventually becoming club captain in 2022. He represented England at UEFA Euro 2020, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and UEFA Euro 2024.
Rice has sported various hairstyles, including a short undercut and a textured crop. His current style is a full brush back with a mid taper fade, featuring a hidden center part that adds dimension and creates a defined hairline. The sides and back are abruptly tapered, giving a distinct look in contrast to his patchy beard.
Paulo Dybala – Messy Comb Over
Argentinian Paula Dybala is an attacking midfielder or forward for Serie A club Roma and the Argentina national team. His career is quite illustrious, having been named MVP in the 2019-2020 season and included in Serie A Team of the Year on four occasions.
Dybala’s style is minimalist and trendy, often featuring quiffs or crops, but his current style is a messy comb over fade. Longer hair on top falls across the top of the head from a deep side part, while the sides and back are significantly shorter. A wispy fringe falls over the forehead, adding a hint of character.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – Short Afro Fade
Trent Alexander-Arnold has enjoyed quite the career as the right-back or midfielder for Liverpool and the English national team. He has numerous wins with Liverpool, including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, FA Cup, and EFL Cup.
Known as quite the chameleon in terms of his hairstyles, Alexander-Arnold has sported dreads and braids throughout his career. However, fans agree that his short afro fade with its clean, cropped look gives Alexander-Arnold a sharp, refined appearance.
Jordan Henderson – Side Swept Hair with Low Drop Fade
As a midfielder for Ajax and the English national team as of 2024, Jordan Henderson is no stranger to trophies and titles. At Liverpool, he led the team to the UEFA Champions League. Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Cup World Cup wins.
Henderson’s side swept hair with a low drop fade is iconic and classy, featuring plenty of shine and texture. The razor fade at the sides creates an impeccable transition, amplifying his masculine features and balancing his blended beard. Henderson slicks his hair back for formal events for an air of elegance.
Weston McKennie – Kinky Curls with Faded Sides
Weston McKennie is an American senior midfielder for the United States national team and Juventus, where he has won the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana. He is well-known for his extraordinary box-to-box, deep-lying, and wingback play.
McKennie’s hairstyles are just as versatile as his gameplay. He is no stranger to short crops and braids, but his kinky curls with faded sides are a favorite. The cut’s volume and slightly lighter color at the tips give his appearance a flair, and a thick goatee balances the look overall.
Virgil van Dijk – Low Bun
As a center-back for the Netherlands national team and Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk is one of the best defenders of his time. He has won numerous titles, including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Premier League, and FIFA Club World Cup.
Long hair has been a feature of Van Dijk’s distinctive appearance for years. Slicking his curls back into a low bun is practical and handsome, even as a go-to style for formal events. A small tuft of a goatee at the chin adds contrast and balance.
Antoine Griezmann – Textured Long Flow
French footballer Antoine Griezmann retired in 2024 after playing as an attacking midfielder or forward for Atletico Madrid and the French national team. He led France to a win at the UEFA Nations League in 2021 and the finals in the 2022 World Cup.
Griezmann is quite daring with his hairstyle, often wearing mohawks or wildly shaped ponytails. He currently sports a textured long flow, brushing his tousled tresses back and away from his face. Worn with a patchy, full beard, Griezmann is known as a men’s fashion and grooming icon in soccer.
Kylian Mbappe – Buzz Cut Fade
Playing forward for Real Madrid and the French national team, Kylian Mbappe’s incredible speed and finishing moves are some of the best in the sport. He was an essential player in France’s FIFA World Cup win in 2018, making him the second teenager, after Pele, to ever score a goal at a World Cup event.
Mbappe is known for his well-groomed, short styles, including an easy-to-manage buzz cut fade. A blunt edge along the hairline gradually transforms to stubble around the ears and nape, giving him a clean, tidy appearance – practical and attractive on and off the field.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Slick Back Fade
Playing forward for Al Nassr and the Portugal national team, Cristiano Ronaldo’s career is just as dynamic as his ever-changing appearance. Since the start of his career back in 2003, Ronaldo has earned Portugal over 200 caps and remains the national team’s all-time top scorer.
After boasting such styles as faux hawks, buzz cuts, and disconnected undercuts, Ronaldo recently transitioned to a refined, polished, slick back fade. His stunning waves flow back from his hairline before gradually transitioning to stubble around the ears and at the nape.
Jude Bellingham – Short Afro Taper Fade with Line Up
Jude Bellingham plays as a midfielder for Real Madrid and the English national team. After becoming the youngest-ever player with Birmingham City, he moved to Borussia Dormand, where he was named the 2022-23 Bundesliga Player of the Season. Since joining Real Madrid in 2023, Bellingham has played a key role in La Liga title and UEFA Champions League wins.
Bellingham’s short afro taper fade with a line up is his current signature style. A precise edge at the hairline and a soft, subtle fade at the temples frame his face, and the texture on top adds dimension and volume to his look. A small goatee balances the cut for a contemporary yet sophisticated finish.
Rodri – Textured Ivy League with Tapered Sides
Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante, better known as Rodri, plays defensive midfielder for Manchester City and the Spain national team. He has led the former to four Premier League titles in a row and their first-ever UEFA Champions League win in 2022-23.
Rodri’s hairstyles have been classic and gentlemanly through the years, including his current textured Ivy League with tapered sides. Longer hair on top flows forward and over to the side, flipping slightly upward at the hairline. The scissored taper at the sides creates a soft, subdued transition.
Vinicius Jr. – Kinky Afro Curls with High Skin Fade
Vinicius Junior, often called Vini or Vinicius Jr., plays forward for Real Madrid and the Brazil national team. He is a key player for both teams, scoring the winning goal at the Champions League finals in 2022 and 2024. He was named the Best FIFA Men’s Player in 2024 and included in the FIFPRO World XI in 2023 and 2024.
Vinicius Jr. is known for embracing his naturally thick tresses, often wearing classic Brazilian dreadlocks. More recently, Vini Jr. wears long, kinky afro curls with a high skin fade, creating impossible volume, elongating his square face, and drawing attention to his heartwarming smile.
Erling Haaland – Long Ponytail with Shaved Sides
England-born Erling Haaland is a top-ranked striker for Manchester City and the Norway national team. He has shattered several football records, but his most impressive feat was scoring 36 goals during his debut season in the Premier League, breaking the world record for the most goals scored during a single season.
Haaland’s long, thick blonde hair is bold and edgy, and his signature ponytail with shaved sides offers a stunning, unique style. The cut offers a practical, athletic approach since it makes his thick tresses easier to manage while creating an attractive look.
Stephan El Shaarawy – Faux Hawk Fade
As a left winger for Roma and the Italy national team, Stephan El Shaarawy, or The Pharoah (Il Faraone in his native Egyptian language), boasts exceptional technical skills and speed on the field.
El Shaarawy’s hairstyles are audacious and creative, ranging from full-on mohawks and shags to his most recent faux hawk fade. His thick hair flows forward and upward from the crown and the hairline, meeting in a mass of soft, voluminous spikes. An abrupt fade at the side and a clean-shaven face incorporate more lift.
Most Famous Footballer Hairstyles
Some of the best footballer hairstyles are Cristiano Ronaldo’s classic side part fade, David Beckham’s soft brush back with tapered sides, Neymar’s burst fade mohawk, Lionel Messi’s comb over taper fade, Sergio Ramos’s slicked back undercut, Kylian Mbappé’s buzz cut, Vinicius Jr’s high skin faded afro, Gareth Bale’s top knot and Zlatan Ibrahimović’s man bun. These stylish soccer stars with cool haircuts highlight how elite players influence trends, making their cuts and fashion choices almost as iconic as their career accomplishments.
