Carlos Valderrama Looks Unrecognisable After Shock Transformation

When you think of iconic footballer hairstyles, one man stands out above the rest.

Sure, the likes of Ronaldo Nazario (with his infamous 2002 World Cup haircut) and Taribo West, who now lives a very different life but is best remembered for his neon green braids, may spring to mind.

And who can forget David Beckham’s variety of famous haircuts, including his audacious mohawk?

But most of these haircuts were only temporary.

No elite-level footballer has shown as much commitment to a hairstyle as Carlos Valderrama, the retired midfielder who earned 111 caps for Colombia between 1985-1998.

Valderrama, now 65, is synonymous with the blond, curled afro that he played his entire career with.

Colombia’s captain at three World Cup finals (1990, 1994 and 1998) during the South American nation’s golden era, Valderrama became a household name across the world, thanks largely to his unique hairstyle.

However, we have some sad news to report: Valderrama’s legendary hairstyle is no more.

Valderrama Now Looks Very Different

REUTERS/Daniel Becerrill

The Colombian shaved it all off this week, leaving him completely unrecognisable.

Valderrama’s wife, Elvira Redondo, asked if he was ready, to which he replied: “More or less” with a ‘so-so’ hand gesture.

After the deed was done, Elvira said to her husband: “Imagine what the grandchildren are going to say when they see you with your hair shaved off.” Watch the video below:

She’s already nicknamed him “Baldy Valderrama”, while fans expressing their disbelief on social media.

Valderrama, named by Pele as one of the 125 greatest living footballers in 2004, previously revealed that he rejected a $2 million offer to cut his hair before the 1994 World Cup in the United States.

Thirty-two years later and the Colombian has finally decided to part ways with his famous locks.

Despite his reputation as an elite-level midfielder during World Cups, Valderrama spent most of his career in his native South America.

He had spells with European clubs Montpellier and Real Valladolid in the late-1980s and early-1990s but never got a move to one of the continent’s biggest clubs.

Valderrama made the most appearances for Colombian outfit Deportivo Cali between 1985-1987, scoring 22 goals in 131 appearances.

Since hanging up his boots in 2002, following a stint with Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer, ‘El Pibe’ has mostly worked in the media as a colour commentator.

He did have a brief spell as assistant boss of Colombian side Atletico Junior, but that was as far as his coaching career went.