Hairstyles, hype and histrionics — Ray Hartley on the Soccer World Cup
It is usually the player who is out to impress the coach, but the Icarus syndrome turns the tables
Who knew? Brazilian striker Neymar has worn his hair in 45 noteworthy styles, according to Menhairstylist.com. There is the "high and gelled haircut" — think sultry parakeet — which he brought back from infamy, and the "Mohawk with highlights", which the site tells us "also leaves his neck tattoo exposed, which is a plus". But Neymar and the Brazilian football team have left the World Cup in Russia after being knocked out 2-1 by Belgium. Apparently haircuts don’t necessarily bolster on-field performance. (I’m resisting the temptation to say: "Just look at Bafana Bafana.") Neymar did have his moment of glory on a SuperSport billboard advertising the World Cup somewhere on Joburg’s M1. At his side on this hopeful but wildly off-point advertising fantasy were Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Germany’s Mesut Özil, all of whom will watch the final on the couch, just like you and me. (I’m resisting the temptation to say: "Just like Bafana Bafana.") With so many h...
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