Ever heard of the R9 haircut? If you’re a long-time football fan, you might remember when Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima, aka Ronaldo, debuted this haircut in 2002.
The buzz that ensued after he wore the haircut during the FIFA world cup wasn’t surprising. Celebrities set trends, so when a footballer many admires rocks a particular haircut during a global event, almost everyone would love to jump on the trend.
But when it came to the R9 haircut the result was anything but positive. It received backlash as people perceived the haircut to be ugly. That was 2002 though, and as you know, perceptions change over time. So in case you’re thinking of rocking this look, you’ll find all you need to know about it in this post before you take the plunge.
What Prompted the Haircut?
Would it be shocking if I told you Ronado’s aim of rocking this look was part of a genius plan? In an interview with ESPN, he shared:
“I had an injury in my leg and everybody was talking about that, I decided to cut my hair and leave the small thing there. I come to training and everybody saw me with bad hair. Everybody was talking about the hair and forgot about the injury. I could stay more calm and relaxed and focused on my training. I’m not proud about the hair itself because it was pretty strange. But it was a good way to change the subject”
Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima
Well, there you have it, the R9 haircut was part of his plan to stop people from talking about his injury and it was a brilliant move.
Other Footballers Who Rocked the Hairstyle
Even after many media reported the haircut as ugly and Ronaldo as unrecognizable, his teammates showed support for him and rocked this unique hairstyle. Footballers like Neymar and even Roberto Firmino tried their hands at the haircut. In an interview with The Players Tribune, Neymar affirmed:
“The haircut of Ronaldo was good. I had it! All of us, we were all looking like Ronaldo.”
Why is Ronaldo’s hairstyle Called the R9 haircut?
The R9 haircut was named after the nickname of the star striker, which was derived from his initials and jersey number. The haircut is a combination of a shaved head at the back with a small tuft in front. Many people refer to it as a buzzed cut with humorous modifications.
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Different Variations of the R9 Haircut
The R9 haircut has become popular and people, including stars, have adopted the style and created different versions of it. Here are some of the variations of this iconic hairstyle:
Neymar R9 Haircut
Neymar, the Brazilian soccer player, rocked this look during the 2011-2012 season while playing for Santos F.C. in Brazil. With a clean-shaven look, this hairstyle might just the perfect haircut to make a statement.
Braithwaite R9
The Braithwaite R9 haircut is a variation of the R9 hairstyle that was popularized by French footballer Eric Braithwaite. It features a shaved head with a long fringe that is styled to the side and braided.
Richarlison R9 Haircut
The Richardson R9 haircut is another variation of the R9 hairstyle. The Richardson R9 hairstyle is perfect for those who want to make a statement with their hair. To get it, simply shave your head and style the long fringe in a quiff.
Ronaldo R9
If you want to get the same haircut as Ronaldo Nazario, then you will need to shave your head completely and style the fringe to the side. You can use some gel or pomade to keep the fringe in place and spice things up by dyeing your hair
Xherdan Shaqiri R9 Haircut
Xherdan Shaqiri, the Swiss soccer player, wore the hairstyle during the 2015-2016 season when he was playing for FC Bayern München. The style looks great on a clean-shaven face
Insigne R9 Haircut
Insigne’s take on the R9 hairstyle is probably one of the most stylish. Aside from the slightly long tuft in front, he also added some hair tattoos on the sides to level up the style. Go for this if you want yours to look more unique.
How to Style the R9 Haircut
To get this iconic shaved haircut, shave your head completely almost like the buzz cut but leave some hair around the front. The remaining hair will make up the fringe which you will style to the side. You can use a gel or wax to style the fringe or use a straightening iron to straighten it if you want.
The Odd-Looking R9 Haircut Can Be Stylish Too
The R9 haircut is in a world of its own. Like other male hairstyles, It takes one person to enhance their style and make them universally acceptable. The R9 hairstyle is no different.
The good thing about this hairstyle is that it’s a low-maintenance haircut that flatters different face shapes. So, if you are looking for a new hairstyle, the R9 is worth considering.
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