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Lionel Messi has sported a variety of stylish haircuts over the years, each reflecting his evolving fashion sense. Messy styles to more polished looks, Messi’s haircuts are always on point. Notable styles include the classic short messy cut, impeccable for a casual yet trendy appearance, and the side-parted quiff, pure for a more stunning look. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to five of Messi’s iconic haircuts and teach you how to style them.
Top 1. Classic short messy haircut
Messi’s classic short messy haircut is effortlessly cool and perfect for everyday wear. This style is characterized by short sides and a slightly longer, tousled top, giving a laid-back yet stylish vibe. It works well for various hair types and is easy to maintain with minimal effort. This messy short haircut is a great option for guys looking to embrace a casual, tousled look.
Steps to style:
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Try to add a small amount of texturizing spray or mousse to add volume and grip.
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Now, use a blow dryer to add lift, tousling the hair with your fingers to create a natural, messy look.
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Use a light-hold wax or pomade to define the texture and hold the style in place.
Top 2. Sleek side-parted quiff
The sleek side-parted quiff combines a deep side part with a voluminous top and gives a refined appearance. Guys can wear this quiff haircut to add a touch of elegance to their look. This style is a modern twist on the classic quiff, providing a sharp and clean finish.
Guides:
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Add a styling gel or mousse to the roots for volume. You can create a deep side part using a fine-tooth comb. Blow dry your hair, lifting the top section to add height and smoothness.
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Use a round brush for extra volume. Then, you can add a medium-hold pomade to the top section, combing it back to form the quiff.
Top 3. Messy fringe haircut
Messi’s messy fringe haircut features longer bangs that fall naturally across the forehead. Choose this relaxed, casual style if you are those who prefer a low-maintenance look with a bit of edge. The messy fringe adds a youthful and trendy element to the overall appearance.
Steps:
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Put a lightweight styling cream or mousse to add texture.
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Blow dry your hair while using your fingers to direct the fringe forward.
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Allow the fringe to fall naturally and use a small amount of matte paste to add definition to the bangs.
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Scrunch the hair slightly to inflate the messy effect and keep it looking effortless.
Top 4. Textured crop
The textured crop is a modern cut that’s both protean and easy to maintain. With short, choppy layers on top and faded sides, this haircut adds plenty of texture and movement to the hair. If you’re looking for a contemporary style that stands out, the textured crop would be your goal.
Tutorials:
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Wash and use a towel to dry your hair.
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Give a texturizing spray or sea salt spray to damp hair to enhance the natural texture.
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Use a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment to dry the hair, scrunching it with your fingers as you go.
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Once dry, apply a small amount of matte clay or paste to the top layers, working it in with your fingers to define the choppy layers and create a textured look.
Top 5. Short taper fade
The short taper fade is a clean, sharp haircut that transitions smoothly from short sides to a slightly longer top. This style is great for those who prefer a neat, polished look without too much length. It’s a classic haircut that has been modernized with the fade technique. Read up to taper VS fade haircuts.
How to:
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Put a small amount of styling gel or pomade to damp hair.
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Use a comb to create a neat part on one side.
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Blow dry the hair, combing it in the direction of the part for a smooth finish.
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Once dry, apply a medium-hold styling cream to the top section.
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For added sharpness, use a trimmer to keep the fade looking fresh.
What happened to Messi's hair in the past 20 years?
Lionel Messi’s hair has gone through almost as many transformations as his legendary career, each phase reflecting a different era of his growth, from shy prodigy to global icon.
Twenty years ago, in the early 2000s, young Messi sported long, shaggy brown hair that curled around his ears. It matched his boyish innocence and quiet personality, almost giving him the look of a kid who wandered onto the pitch until he touched the ball and stunned the world.
By the late 2000s and early 2010s, Messi shifted to a shorter, neater cut, a simple look that felt as technical and precise as his playing style. As Barcelona’s star, he wasn’t flashy with his hair; he let his feet do the talking. This era gave us the classic Messi image thta is slightly spiky on top, and completely focused on football.
Then came the experimental years. Around 2016, Messi surprised everyone with a dramatic platinum-blonde transformation. It was rebellious and symbolic, which was a reset during a period of personal and professional intensity. Shortly after, he embraced a thicker beard, which became one of his most recognizable features and added a mature.
In the late 2010s, Messi settled into a short, cropped style with a well-groomed beard, projecting confidence and leadership as he carried both Barcelona and Argentina on his shoulders. After moving to PSG and later Inter Miami, he kept the look refined: clean fade, tidy beard, minimal fuss.
Today, Messi’s hair has come full circle: simple, reflecting a man who has nothing left to prove. From wild teen curls to iconic platinum to polished veteran, his hair evolution mirrors the journey of a boy who became a legend.
Which football player has the best haircut?
Cristiano Ronaldo remains one of the most consistent hair icons. From sharp fades to clean comb-overs, to textured spikes and razor lines, his haircut always matches his disciplined persona.
David Beckham, on the other hand, is the godfather of football hairstyles. Buzz cuts, mohawks, cornrows, curtains, topknots, Beckham did it all decades before social media made trends instant. His hair has probably inspired more barbershop requests than any player in history.
Neymar Jr. brings chaos and creativity in equal measure. His haircuts are a show of personality: bleached curls, vivid colors, faux-hawks, microbraids: Neymar treats his hair like canvas art.
For something more refined, Kylian Mbappé keeps his look sharp. His close fades suit his speed and precision, proving that sometimes the simplest styles are the most powerful.
And of course, Olivier Giroud deserves a place on the list. His styled quiff and immaculate beard combination could land him in a fashion campaign any day. Giroud’s hair never looks out of place, even after 90 minutes of intense play.
Last words
Messi’s hair evolution proves that small changes can create big impact. By understanding each style’s key steps and adapting them to your hair type, you can confidently recreate his iconic looks and upgrade your own grooming routine.
