Erling Haaland revealed a bold new haircut as Manchester City face Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday night.
The Norway star has been in fine form this season, scoring his 30th Premier League goal against Southampton, but it was his decision off the field that got everyone talking.
While training in Manchester this week, Haaland sported a brave new hairstyle as he showed off braided hair ahead of City’s biggest game of the season.
Pep Guardiola hopes the new style will bring the 22-year-old good luck in his quest for Champions League glory.
And after the new Haaland trim, sportsmail Take a look at the best and worst haircuts in football history…
Erling Haaland dons a fresh look ahead of Man City’s Champions League quarter-final
The Norwegian striker’s long blonde hair is usually tied up in a tight ponytail (above)
But while training before facing his European team, Haaland donned braids in an interesting move – and down below, sportsmail Take a look at the best and worst haircuts in football history…
better
David Beckham (2001/2003)
England legend David Beckham became a fashion icon during his footballing career with several iconic hairstyles during his time with Manchester United and Real Madrid in particular.
During his time in Manchester, Becks sported a shaved head and pulled it off brilliantly, making his debut in 2001.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, after moving to Madrid a few years later, Beckham debuted the man bun look, rocking the look in 2003 before becoming a global fashion trend, with former teammate Sergio Ramos now drawing inspiration from his looks.
Not every hairstyle was a hit, however, with the England star regretting his cornrow decision as he revealed: ‘A mohawk and maybe cornrows (biggest regret). I did it in the south of France when I had a glass of rose.
David Beckham (pictured) went from shaven head to man bun in the space of two years
Carlos Valderrama (full career)
While Beckham wore many different hairstyles throughout his career, some of the most iconic styles came with consistency as Carlos Valderrama is remembered more for his haircut than for football.
The former Colombia international was known for his frizzy hair and mustache during his generation.
He rocked the blonde afro during every one of his 111 international appearances when he captained Colombia to three World Cup finals in 1990, 1994 and 1998 before shockingly deciding to abandon the style after retirement.
Afro-Colombian Carlos Valderrama was iconic with three World Cup final appearances
Ruud Gullit (1987)
Ballon d’Or winner Ruud Gullit has worn another iconic hairstyle throughout most of his career, sporting individual dreadlocks.
During the 1980s, Gullit was one of the best players in the world and certainly had the most impressive haircut, taking to the pitch under Arrigo Sacchi in back-to-back European Cup finals.
He even brought his concerns to England during his time at Chelsea before abandoning them for a more professional look during his short stint as manager.
Dutch footballer Ruud Gullit has given up his braids after retiring from football
Neymar (2014)
With the World Cup taking place in Brazil in 2014, Neymar simply had to dress to impress during the tournament.
It was a year to forget for the hosts as Neymar missed out on the 7-1 victory over Germany in the semi-finals, but he showed new style during the previous matches.
Opting for shaved sides and a faux blond falcon 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 striker Neymar (above) wore the iconic hairdo in 2014 during the World Cup
Paul Pogba (multi)
It wouldn’t be right to leave former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba off the list of famous haircuts, as the France international often changes his style.
Pogba rejoined Manchester United for a then world record fee, putting pen to paper in a deal while sporting blonde hair.
However, this was not the most famous of his ornaments, as the midfielder often took to the pitch with figures shaved into the side of his head – like a bat, the words “Bogboom” and even a leopard pattern.
No other player will be able to pull off these styles, but they only work for Pogba.
Paul Pogba has almost had a different haircut every week during his time at Manchester
worst
Roberto Baggio (1994)
Roberto Baggio will want to leave his memories of the 1994 World Cup behind after he missed a penalty in the final shootout as Italy fell to defeat against Brazil.
However, he will always be remembered for his tournament hairstyle – perhaps more so than his penalty miss.
This style was dubbed “Il Divin Codino”, the divine ponytail, in Italy as it chose to tie up curls.
It’s safe to say he regretted the choice, and quickly decided to abandon the style in 1997.
Roberto Baggio’s ‘Divine Tail’ couldn’t help Italy win the 1994 World Cup
Ronaldo (2002)
Perhaps the most famous hairstyle in football history is the one in which Brazilian Ronaldo sported an outlandish look.
Some would call it iconic, while others see it for what it is as the legendary forward shaved off all but one part of his hair.
It inspired a generation but even Ronaldo came out to apologize to the mothers of children who underestimated his style.
While it will never be forgotten, it certainly should be.
Ronaldo apologized to the mothers of the children who asked for his famous haircut in 2002
Chris Waddle (1990)
During Italy 90, England star Chris Waddle opted for the spunky look as he, like many, tried to pull off a mullet.
Unfortunately, only a select few could look chic with this choice of hairstyle and Waddle was not Billy Ray Cyrus.
Things went from bad to worse for Waddell, as his England team lost to West Germany in the World Cup semi-finals and like Baggio, it wasn’t just his trim that he regretted.
Waddle’s penalty miss in the shoot-out ends England’s dream of bringing the World Cup home, but worst of all, he wears a mullet in the tournament photos.
Chris Waddle wore a mullet when England lost in the 1990 World Cup semi-final
Taribo West (1998)
Three consecutive World Cups in the ’90s brought some of the worst hairstyles ever seen in the beauty game.
The controversial choice would undoubtedly be that of Taribo West, who appeared at the tournament in green braids.
Any of West’s hair styles could have been used here as he has become known for changing the color of his braids to match the team he played for, on this occasion in Nigeria’s green.
While Haaland’s style is nowhere near as bad as that of the West, the Norway international could have drawn inspiration from the eye-catching style.
Taribou West dyed his hair green at the 1998 World Cup to match the Nigerian shirt
Rodrigo Palacio (2014)
Another dreadful World Cup trim is seeing a newer competitor enter the roster.
This could be the worst in the history of the World Cup as Argentine Rodrigo Palacio chose a hilarious mouse-tail game.
While Argentina fell to defeat at the hands of Germany and Mario Gotze in the final, it was Palacio who made headlines throughout the tournament with his bizarre rat tail.
Were it not for Gotze’s overtime winner, Palacio would have dominated the headlines with his appearance off the bench with the much-criticised rat-tail appearance.
Rodrigo Palacio’s rat tail was a bold choice because he was blown into the wind every time he was on the ball.
