Footballers make up some of the world’s biggest and most well-known celebrities. Players like Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo are household names, thanks to their incredible talent in the Premier League. With how much publicity they get, it makes sense that they spend a little more time on their looks. Unfortunately, football players aren’t immune to experiencing hair loss, and this can dramatically impact their self-confidence, especially when they have a camera constantly on them.
Why Do People Lose Their Hair?
If you look around you, you’ll notice that a lot of people lose their hair as they get older – including footballers. Age and genetics play a huge role in hair loss, with androgenetic alopecia being the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women. There are other potential reasons for losing your hair, too, such as:
- Alopecia Areta
- Stress
- Pregnancy
- Thyroid Issues
- Deficiencies
To determine what has caused hair loss, speaking to a medical professional is always best. The solution could be as simple as taking a supplement. On the other hand, a hair transplant might be a good route if your hair loss affects your confidence.
What is a Hair Transplant?
A hair transplant is a minor surgical procedure that involves taking healthy hair grafts and placing them into the thinning or balding area. Around 12 months after a transplant, you can see the full results of new hair coming through.
These days, there are two main types of hair transplants: the FUE method and the FUT method (thankfully, plugs are no longer a thing!). Both are very popular and provide incredibly natural results.
FUE Hair Transplant
A FUE hair transplant involves taking individual hair follicles and transplanting them somewhere else on the head. This provides the most natural result and is often a footballer’s hair transplant choice.
FUT Hair Transplant
A FUE hair transplant involves grafting an entire strip of hair and then transplanting it in the balding section. While the results aren’t quite as precise as the FUE hair transplant, the FUT transplant is still popular thanks to it being a faster method. Plus, the results are still very natural, which is why many balding footballers have opted for this procedure.
Which Footballers Have Got a Hair Transplant?
Many footballers with hair transplants have been private about their hair restoration journey, whereas others have been more open. Wayne Rooney, for example, is a footballer who was refreshingly open about his procedure. With others, we can only guess that they’ve had a transplant. This list comprises of footballers who have either definitely or most likely had this procedure during their careers!
Wayne Rooney
The most open footballer with a hair transplant is Wayne Rooney, who got his FUE hair transplant back in 2011 with us at our Wimpole Clinic! He was refreshingly transparent about his procedure, stating on Twitter,
“‘Just to confirm to all my followers I have had a hair transplant. I was going bald at 25 why not. I’m delighted with the result.” [1]
He had struggled with self-image throughout his 20s, thanks to his hair loss. After his hair transplant surgery, he grew a full head of hair once more. The former England captain was happy with the results! Looking at pictures before and after, you can see how much difference the Wayne Rooney hair transplant made.
Rob Holding
Former Arsenal and now Crystal Palace football player Rob Holding is known for his outstanding tackling. Unfortunately, Holding experienced male pattern baldness, which affects around half of men over the age of 50. [2] His started early, though – he had a very defined M-shaped hairline when he was in his twenties. That all changed in 2021 when he underwent a hair transplant to restore his former locks. Nowadays, Rob Holding can be seen on the pitch sporting a full head of hair. He looks great!
David Beckham
It’s hard to imagine that David Beckham ever had any appearance insecurities. While he’s been off the England pitch for quite a while now, his charm, good looks, and legacy have kept him relevant! However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for David Beckham – he started to lose his hair in the 2020s, which is not what you would expect after seeing him with a man bun! Nowadays, he’s seen sporting a full head of locks, indicating that he had a hair transplant. While this hasn’t been confirmed, it’s a pretty safe bet.
Michael Gray
Another person who has been very open about his transplant is Michael Gray, the former Sunderland football player. He wasn’t going to be one of those balding footballers that did nothing about it! Not only did he speak openly about his hair transplant, but he even broadcast the procedure live. This was an interesting and insightful move – it allowed people to see exactly what happens during the process. Looking at him now, you can see just how successful the transplant was, as his hair looks as thick and luscious as ever. Good for him!
Xherdan Shaqiri
The Swiss football player hasn’t come out to say that he got a hair transplant, but looking at the signs, it’s quite clear that he got one. He took two months off from heading the ball due to an injury, and then when he was back, his previously receding hairline had all but vanished! The result is a youthful, full head of hair. He quickly went from hair loss to being a man whose hair is envied by everyone.
Antonio Conte
Years back, Antonio Conte made a name for himself as a football player. These days, he’s better known as a professional football manager. If you look at pictures of Conte from back in his football playing days, you can see that he suffered from extensive hair loss. Fast forward to today, and the mid-50s manager has a full head of hair. Again, this is a footballer’s hair transplant that hasn’t been 100% confirmed, but speculation is high. If he did get a hair transplant, it certainly looks great on him!
Steve Claridge
Former professional football player and current coach Steve Claridge underwent a hair transplant in 2015. While he hasn’t said anything directly about having the transplant, he was seen sporting hair transplant scars while out and about. He clearly didn’t mind that people knew he had had the procedure!
Keep in mind that most surgeons will tell you to stay home for a few days while the scarring heals. Most people who get hair transplants don’t get snapped with the fresh scars! Clearly, Steve Claridge had somewhere important to be.
Ryan Giggs
Like Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs has come forward about his hair transplant, which he said involved 1,500 grafts. The result is very natural, as it doesn’t look like a perfectly straight line (Shaqiri’s) but still maintains some of the M-shaped hairline that he previously had. However, it doesn’t go as far back, making him look much more youthful. Speaking on why he got it done, Giggs stated,
“I got a little bit paranoid really, especially when I knew I was going to be playing on the TV, or it was going to rain.” [3]
It’s the same for many – feeling insecure after losing hair. A footballer’s hair is more in the spotlight, though. With all the cameras and bright lights, it makes sense that Giggs wanted to address his hair loss early on. It wasn’t a straightforward journey, either – Giggs tried out a few different hair restoration methods before finally settling on a hair transplant in 2017. It was definitely the best option for him, as it gave real, definite results.
Is a Hair Transplant Worth it?
If you asked footballers about their hair transplants, most of the players would say that the procedure was definitely worth it. If you have an insecurity, it’s always worth addressing. A hair transplant might just be the key to newfound confidence!
Of course, you have to be a good candidate to get a hair transplant. Generally, patients are healthy and above 25, with a good amount of healthy hair that can act as a donor site.
Want to Join the Footballers with Hair Transplants?
A footballer’s hair might not help them score goals on the pitch, but that doesn’t mean footballers don’t care about their appearance! Many balding footballers have undergone hair transplant surgery over the years and have enjoyed a full head of hair as a result. With how natural the results look – and how minimally invasive the surgery is these days – why wouldn’t they?
You don’t need to be as wealthy and successful as an English football captain to get a hair transplant. If you’re losing hair and want to restore your luscious locks, booking a consultation with us will kickstart your journey. You can join the likes of David Beckham and Wayne Rooney to enjoy a full head of hair once more.
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