You know that feeling when a friend shows up to brunch with a totally different vibe and you just stare for a second? That was basically the entire football world last season when Kevin De Bruyne walked back onto the pitch. For nearly a decade, we knew exactly what we were getting with the Manchester City maestro: world-class assists and a very sensible, very Belgian side-part.
Then came the injury layoff. Suddenly, the "sensible" look was gone.
In its place was this flowing, slicked-back mane that eventually evolved into a full-on top knot. It’s weird how much we care about an athlete's grooming, but with De Bruyne, it felt like a personality shift. Or maybe he just got bored while sitting on the sidelines. Honestly, when you’re out for five months with a hamstring tear, you’ve gotta do something with your time. For KDB, that something was growing out the locks.
The Viral Top Knot and the Haaland Effect
When Kevin showed up for the 2024/25 pre-season training, the internet basically broke. He wasn't just rocking long hair; he had it pulled back into a "man bun" or top knot that looked suspiciously like his teammate Erling Haaland’s signature style.
The memes were instant.
Fans started calling him "Erling Bruyne." Even Pep Guardiola couldn't help himself. There’s that famous clip of Pep greeting the squad where he stops dead in his tracks, looks at Kevin’s head, and just goes, "You have to explain to me this hair!"
Kevin just laughed it off, but you could tell it was a whole new era.
What’s actually in the routine?
People think these guys have a 10-step Korean skincare routine for their hair. They don't. Or at least, Kevin doesn't. He actually addressed this on a club podcast because the questions were getting out of hand.
According to the man himself, it’s remarkably low-maintenance.
- He uses a specific Belgian wax (loyalty to the home country, obviously).
- A bit of heavy-duty hairspray.
- The whole process takes him about 30 seconds.
He’s not sitting there with a blow dryer and a round brush for forty minutes. He’s a dad of three and the best midfielder in the world; he has things to do. The slicked-back look is mostly about keeping the hair out of his eyes while he’s trying to find a gap in a low block that shouldn't exist.
Why the Change Actually Happened
Most people assume it was a fashion choice. However, if you look at the timeline, the Kevin De Bruyne hair transformation started during his recovery from surgery in late 2023. When you aren't playing, you aren't in front of the cameras every three days. You stop getting the "match-day trim."
By the time he was ready to return, it had reached that awkward mid-length stage. Instead of cutting it back to the short back and sides, he leaned in.
There's also the "Jack Grealish factor." Jack is arguably the most hair-obsessed player in the Premier League. Spending every day in a dressing room with a guy who uses more hair ties than a primary school class is bound to rub off on you. Chris Sutton even joked on a podcast that Kevin might have been spending a bit too much time around Grealish during his rehab.
The Psychology of the "Comeback Cut"
There is a real thing in sports where players change their appearance after a major injury. It’s like a "reset" button. New hair, new season, new hamstrings. For De Bruyne, the long hair coincided with a period where he looked refreshed.
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He wasn't just the quiet, pale guy in the middle of the park anymore. He looked like a Viking.
Maintaining the "KDB" Look
If you’re actually trying to replicate this, you need to understand that Kevin has very fine, straight hair. If you have thick, curly hair, the "Belgian wax and spray" method is going to leave you looking like a disaster.
- Grow the top significantly longer than the sides. You need at least 6-8 inches on top to even think about the top knot.
- The Undercut. Keep the sides faded but not skin-short. It helps the top look more intentional and less like you just forgot where the barber was.
- Product Choice. He uses wax because it provides a matte finish. Pomade would make his hair look greasy, and gel would make it look "crunchy"—neither of which works well under 90 minutes of stadium lights and sweat.
The End of an Era
Interestingly, as 2025 rolled around and rumors started swirling about Kevin leaving Manchester City, the hair started changing again. We saw him experiment with various lengths—sometimes slicked, sometimes loose.
When he eventually announced his departure from City in April 2025, it felt like the hair had been a symbol of his final "rebel" phase at the club. He went from the young, fresh-faced kid from Wolfsburg to the grizzled, long-haired veteran leading the team to a historic run of titles.
Honestly, the top knot might have been polarizing, but it proved one thing: Kevin De Bruyne can do whatever he wants. If he can see a pass that 50,000 people in the stands missed, he probably knows what he’s doing with a hair tie.
Your Next Steps:
If you're looking to transition your own style to the "Haaland-inspired" KDB look, start by letting the fringe grow past your nose before you attempt the tie-back. Invest in a high-quality matte wax—look for European brands if you want that authentic Belgian grip—and avoid "ultra-hold" gels that prevent natural movement. Most importantly, keep the nape of your neck clean; the difference between a "professional athlete" look and a "just rolled out of bed" look is all in the neckline maintenance.