Best footballer hairstyles

Neymar

As one part of the most lethal attacking trio in club football, Neymar is used to sharing the glory with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. But in the hair stakes, the Brazilian is in a different league to them both.

Joe says: ‘He's gone for a full on disconnection, keeping some length and texture on top. This works for any type of hair, providing that it's in good condition, and will look particularly good on people with square faces. Use a clay and apply evenly through the hair from the roots for a tousled messy look.’

Gareth Bale

The world’s most expensive player may have had a torrid time of it this season, ending (probably) trophy-less and falling out with the Bernabéu faithful. But at least he can always look back on 2014/15 and say he rocked the tricky long-hair look like a champ.

Joe says: ‘If you've been growing your hair for a while and haven't been tempted by the undercut-topknot route, this is a good option. Ideally you’ll have thick hair with a natural wave to it – thinning hair in this style can look lank quite easily. It's a hard haircut to pull off without looking dishevelled, so it's best for those with well-proportioned faces and strong bone structures. Oh – and using a moisturising shampoo will be essential.’

Jack Wilshere

An injury-hit season for Arsenal’s engine room midfielder thankfully hasn’t affected his hair game, where he’s been a consistent top-level performer – not to mention bang on trend.

Joe says: ‘Jack’s look is a popular development from the skin fades of 2014. It’s a slightly longer, textured version with a gradual taper on the back and sides. This can work for fine, thick, curly or wavy hair, though isn’t ideal for straight hair as the sides will stick out, meaning you’ll need lots of tidy-up trips to your barber. Blow-dry your hair after washing and create a defined parting with a comb, then apply a clay evenly through the top section, before roughly applying what’s left to the back and sides.'

Olivier Giroud 

Arsenal striker Giroud told the press earlier this year that he gets ‘p*****d off’ with everyone talking about his hair instead of his goal-scoring exploits. But we’re going to do it anyway.

Joe says: ‘Giroud’s hair is similar to Wilshere’s, but with a softer disconnection between the back and sides and more length left on top. It works best for hair that has a natural wave to it. Use paste on the top section and apply to dried hair from the roots with your hands for a matte finish. This is a haircut to suit anyone – though the falling quiff is a particularly good complement to oblong-shaped faces.’

Cristiano Ronaldo

It stands to reason that the vainest man in football should have one of the best haircuts. The preening Portuguese has had an average season by his own ridiculously high standards, but his ability to complete 90 minutes without a follicle falling out of place has remained as strong as ever.

Joe says: ‘This look is scissor cut very tight to the head. There is no taper, with a disconnection between the top and back and sides. To get Ronaldo’s look you’ll need to blow-dry it back with a brush, having applied a paste for the quiff. Or use clay and apply evenly through the hair from the roots for a tousled messy look, using the residual on the back and sides. This style complements a square face shape best, as it's kept tight at the sides.’

Steven Gerrard

Finally, an honourable mention for Liverpool’s outgoing captain for getting through 17 years and 710 games for the Merseyside club without once changing a single hair on his much-furrowed brow. No midfielder in Premier League history has been so consistent.

Joe says: ‘This is a classic short back and sides, all scissor cut. A traditional haircut like this works with any type of hair and is particularly good if you have thinning hair you're hoping to conceal. Use a clay and spread evenly throughout your hands. Work into the roots of the hair and tousle for a messy look. This is a good look for those with narrower foreheads or wider set jaws, as the length on the sides will balance out the overall silhouette.’