Modern football stars are increasingly open about their aesthetic transformations. While performance on the pitch remains the priority, many players now invest heavily in their public image.
The latest star to capture headlines for his off-season changes is Real Madrid and Brazil forward Vinícius Júnior.
The Vinícius Júnior Case Study
Vinícius Júnior recently drew significant attention for a sharper facial profile. Reports indicate he underwent a non-surgical “chin harmonization” procedure in Brazil. This treatment used fillers to redefine his jawline and chin.
It follows a trend of players using the off-season for subtle aesthetic touch-ups. Other stars, like Sergio Ramos, have faced reports of rhinoplasty, while many use dermatological fillers or Botox to maintain a youthful look.
Dental and Facial Legends
Aesthetic surgery in football is not new. Cristiano Ronaldo is perhaps the most famous example of a dental transformation. Early in his career, he used braces to align his teeth. He later upgraded his smile with uniform porcelain veneers and symmetry adjustments.
Brazil’s Ronaldinho also underwent a major change. The legendary playmaker had corrective cosmetic and maxillofacial surgery early in his career. This procedure reshaped and aligned his upper teeth and gum line.
The Hair Transplant Revolution
Hair restoration is the most frequent procedure discussed by players and managers. Wayne Rooney broke the stigma in 2011 when he openly discussed his FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) treatment. Rooney eventually underwent three procedures to achieve a lasting result.
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African Icons and Aesthetic Gains
Several African legends have also addressed their hairlines in recent years. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah revealed the results of an apparent hair transplant in 2024, just before the start of the Premier League season.
His former teammate, Sadio Mané, also underwent surgical treatment for a severely receded hairline.
Mané used the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) method, a minimally invasive surgery popular for its short recovery time. Meanwhile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been the subject of rumours regarding a hair transplant to correct male pattern baldness, though some speculate he may have used hair thickening sprays instead.
Boosting Confidence Off the Ball
For many, these procedures are about self-esteem. Arsenal’s former player, Rob Holding went public with his journey in 2021 after struggling with hair loss. Managers like Jürgen Klopp and Antonio Conte have also opted for restoration.
Klopp admitted he was happy with his results while coaching in Germany. Conte underwent three procedures over two decades to resolve severe thinning.“I struggled so much with my hair and self-confidence. I have had so many messages about where I had my procedure. The Wimpole Clinic in London treated me so well and I am so happy with the results,” Rob Holding revealed in a past interview.
Other stars, such as David Silva, used FUE techniques to fix M-shaped hairlines.
