The BEST and WORST haircuts in football after Erling Haaland’s braids reveal

Erling Haaland has revealed a bold new haircut as Manchester City face Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday night.

The Norway star has been in fine form this season, netting his 30th Premier League goal against Southampton, but it is his off-the-field decision that has everyone talking.

Taking to training in Manchester this week, Haaland donned a brave new hairstyle as he showed off braided hair ahead of City’s biggest game of the season.

Pep Guardiola will be hoping that the new style brings the 22-year-old good luck as they seek Champions League glory.

And after Haaland’s new trim, Sportsmail takes a look at the best and worst haircuts in football history…

The Norwegian striker normally has his long blond locks tied back in a tight ponytail (above)

But in training ahead of his side’s European clash, Haaland sported braids in an interesting move – and below, Sportsmail takes a look at the best and worst haircuts in football history…

BEST

David Beckham (2001/2003)

England legend David Beckham became a fashion icon during his playing career with several iconic haircuts during his time with Manchester United and Real Madrid in particular.

During his time in Manchester, Becks sported a shaved head and managed to pull it off brilliantly, debuting the look in 2001.

On the other end of the spectrum, after a move to Madrid a few years later, Beckham debuted a man-bun, rocking the look in 2003 before it became a global fashion trend, with former team-mate Sergio Ramos now taking inspiration from the look.

Not every hairstyle was a success though, with the England star regretting his cornrows decision as he revealed: ‘The mohawk and probably the cornrows (the biggest regrets). I had those done in the South of France when I’d had a glass of rosé.’

David Beckham (pictured) went from a shaved head to a man bun in the space of two years

Carlos Valderrama (entire career)

While Beckham donned several different haircuts throughout his career, some of the most iconic styles came with consistency as Carlos Valderrama is remembered more for his haircut than his football.

The former Colombia international was recognisable due to his frizzy hair and moustache combination during his generation.

He rocked the blonde afro during each one of his 111 international caps as he captained Colombia in three World Cup finals in 1990, 1994 and 1998 before shockingly deciding to ditch the style post-retirement.

Colombia’s Carlos Valderamma’s afro was iconic as he appeared in three World Cup finals

Ruud Gullit (1987)

Ballon d’Or winner Ruud Gullit donned yet another iconic hairstyle for much of his career, lifting the individual award sporting dreadlocks.

During the 1980’s, Gullit was one of the best players in the world and certainly had one of the most impressive hairstyles, taking to the pitch under Arrigo Sacchi in back-to-back European Cup finals.

He even brought his dreads to England during his time at Chelsea before ditching them for a more professional look during his brief spell as a manager. 

Dutch footballer Ruud Gullit ditched his dreadlocks after retiring from playing football

Neymar (2014)

With the World Cup being held in Brazil in 2014, Neymar simply had to don an impressive trim during the tournament.

It was a year to forget for the hosts as Neymar missed their 7-1 thrashing by Germany in the semi-finals but he did get to show off a new style during the previous matches.

Opting for shaved sides and a blonde faux hawk on top, Neymar made the style popular in Brazil for the summer of 2014 as the South American country was hit by World Cup fever. 

Brazilian forward Neymar (above) donned an iconic hairstyle in 2014 during the World Cup

Paul Pogba (multiple)

It would not be right to leave former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba out of the list of iconic haircuts, with the France international often changing his style. 

Rejoining Man United for a then world-record fee, Pogba put pen to paper on a deal while sporting blonde hair. 

However, this was not the most iconic of his trims, with the midfielder often taking to the pitch with shapes shaved into the side of his head – such as a bat, the phrase ‘Pogboom’ and even a leopard print.

No other player would be able to pull these styles off, but it just works for Pogba. 

Paul Pogba nearly had a different haircut every week during his time in Manchester

 WORST

 Roberto Baggio (1994)

Roberto Baggio will want to leave his memories of the 1994 World Cup behind after missing a penalty in the final shoot-out as Italy fell to defeat to Brazil.

However, he will always be remembered for his hairstyle at the tournament – perhaps even more so than for the penalty miss.

The style was nicknamed ‘Il Divin Codino’, the Divine Ponytail, in Italy as he opted to tie back his curls. 

It’s safe to say he regrets the choice, deciding to quickly part with the style in 1997. 

Roberto Baggio’s ‘Divine Ponytail’ could not help Italy win the World Cup in 1994

Ronaldo (2002)

Perhaps the most iconic hairstyle in football history saw Brazil’s Ronaldo don a bizarre trim. 

Some may call it iconic, while others see it for what it is as the legendary striker shaved all but one patch of his hair.

It inspired a generation but even Ronaldo has come out to apologise to the mothers of children who copied his style.

While it will never be forgotten, it certainly should be. 

Ronaldo has apologised to the mothers of children who asked for his famous haircut in 2002

Chris Waddle (1990)

During Italia 90, England star Chris Waddle opted for a brave look as he, like many, attempted to pull off a mullet.

Unfortunately, only a select few can look stylish with that choice of hairstyle and Waddle was no Billy Ray Cyrus. 

Things went from bad to worse for Waddle, with his England side losing to West Germany in the World Cup semi-final and like Baggio, it wasn’t just his trim that he regrets.

Waddle’s penalty miss in the shoot-out ended England’s dream of bringing the World Cup home, but worst of all, he’s donning a mullet in the pictures from the tournament. 

Chris Waddle donned a mullet as England lost in the 1990 World Cup semi-final

Taribo West (1998)

Three consecutive World Cup’s in the 90’s brought around some of the worst hairstyles seen in the beautiful game.

A controversial selection will no doubt be that of Taribo West, who showed up to the tournament with green braids.

Any of West’s haircuts could have been used here as he became known for changing the colour of his braids to match the team he played for, on this occasion green for Nigeria. 

While Haaland’s style is nowhere near as bad as West’s, the Norway international could have taken inspiration from the eye-catching style.

Taribo West dyed his hair green for the 1998 World Cup to match Nigeria’s kit

Rodrigo Palacio (2014)

Yet another shocking World Cup trim sees a more recent contender enter the list.

This could go down as the worst in World Cup history as Argentina’s Rodrigo Palacio opted for a hilarious rat-tail. 

While Argentina fell to defeat at the hands of Germany and Mario Gotze in the final, it was Palacio that took headlines throughout the tournament with the bizarre rat-tail.

If it wasn’t for Gotze’s extra-time winner, Palacio could have dominated headlines with his cameo off the bench with the heavily criticised rat-tail making an appearance.

Rodrigo Palacio’s rat-tail was bold choice as it blew in the wind every time he was on the ball