You’ve seen the photos. It’s 2020, and Cristiano Ronaldo walks onto the pitch for Juventus sporting something we never thought we’d see. A top knot. A man bun. Whatever you want to call it, the Cristiano Ronaldo long hair phase wasn't just a random fashion choice; it was a total departure from the clinical, gelled-to-perfection look he’d maintained for nearly two decades.
Honestly, most people hated it. Or they loved to hate it. But if you look closer at how his hair has evolved since he was a scrawny teenager at Sporting Lisbon, that long-haired era was actually a return to his roots.
The "Spaghetti" Days and the Hidden Curls
Before he was a global brand, Ronaldo had hair that he didn’t quite know how to handle. Back in 2003, when he first showed up at Manchester United, he had these wild, bleached-blonde highlights that fans jokingly called "spaghetti hair." It was messy. It was long-ish. And most importantly, it showed his natural hair texture.
Ronaldo has naturally curly hair. Type 3A or 3B, for the hair nerds out there. For most of his career at Real Madrid, he fought that texture with a relentless amount of high-shine pomade and frequent visits to his barber. He wanted it sharp. He wanted it aerodynamic. But every now and then, the length would creep back in.
There was a brief moment around the 2006 World Cup where he toyed with a mullet. Yeah, a mullet. It was long in the back, spiky on top, and looking back, it was a bit of a disaster. But it proved one thing: the guy likes to experiment. He doesn't just stick to the "executive contour" fade because it's safe.
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Why the Juventus Man Bun Actually Mattered
When he moved to Italy, something changed. Maybe it was the "Italian style" rubbing off on him, or maybe he just got tired of the five-minute morning gel routine. In late 2019, he started growing it out.
At first, he used an Alice band (that thin black headband) to keep it out of his eyes during matches. Then came the tiny ponytail. Finally, we got the full top knot.
- The Practicality: For a guy who jumps 70 centimeters into the air to head a ball, hair in the eyes is a liability. The bun kept things functional.
- The Georgina Factor: His partner, Georgina Rodriguez, was actually seen in social media clips braiding his hair. It was a more "domestic," relaxed version of a guy who usually looks like a statue.
- The Brand Pivot: It made him look older, more like a "veteran" of the game. It was less about being the flashy winger and more about being the refined striker.
But then, as quickly as it appeared, it was gone. He buzzed it all off during a quarantine period in 2020, and honestly, the internet breathed a collective sigh of relief.
The Secret to the Shine (and the Maintenance)
If you're trying to grow your hair out like he did, you've got to realize he isn't just using supermarket 2-in-1 shampoo. Ronaldo is a part-owner of Insparya, a hair transplant and health clinic. He’s obsessed with scalp health.
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The Cristiano Ronaldo long hair look worked because his hair was incredibly dense. If you have thinning hair, a man bun just highlights the scalp. Ronaldo used a mix of heavy-hold gels—like the American Crew Fiber or high-shine pomades—to keep the flyaways down. When he wore it long on top with a fade on the sides, he was basically utilizing a "disconnected undercut."
Barbers usually suggest that if you're going for this look, you need at least six inches of length on top to even attempt a knot that doesn't look like a tiny pebble on your head. Ronaldo likely waited about six to eight months of growth to reach that stage.
What We Get Wrong About His "New" Looks
A lot of people think he’s just following trends. But if you look at his history, he creates them. When he wore the zig-zag lines shaved into his side for the 2014 World Cup, it was reportedly a tribute to a young fan who had brain surgery. His hair choices often have more weight than just "looking cool."
Even now, as he plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr, he's back to a shorter, more manageable crop. But the curls are more visible now than they were in 2012. He’s embracing the natural wave again. It’s a softer look for a player who is entering the twilight of his career.
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How to Style Like CR7 (Long or Short)
- Start with the Scalp: You can't have good hair without a healthy base. Use a clarifying shampoo once a week to get rid of the "cement" that is high-performance hair gel.
- The "Wet" Look: If you want that classic Ronaldo shine, apply your product to damp hair, not dry. It locks in the moisture and gives that "just stepped off the pitch" vibe.
- The Undercut is Key: Even when he had long hair, the sides were tight. This prevents the "poofiness" that happens when curly hair grows out. Keep the sides at a #1 or #2 guard.
- Embrace the Texture: If your hair is curly, stop trying to straighten it with a blow dryer. Use a curl-defining cream and let it air dry.
The man bun might be dead for now, but with Ronaldo, a new look is always just one barber visit away. Whether it's "noodles," spikes, or a top knot, his hair remains the most analyzed real estate in sports history.
Next Steps for Your Hair Journey
If you're planning to grow your hair out to emulate the 2020 Juventus era, start by letting the top grow while keeping your regular barber appointments every three weeks to maintain the fade on the sides. Invest in a high-quality matte clay for the "growth phase" to keep the awkward-length strands from looking messy. Most importantly, don't be afraid to use a headband during the mid-length stage; if it's good enough for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, it's good enough for your Sunday league match.