When Kevin De Bruyne walked back onto the Manchester City training pitch after his summer break in August 2024, people didn't talk about his hamstring. They didn't talk about his assist stats. They talked about the top knot.
It was a total pivot. For years, we knew KDB for that clean, sensible Belgian schoolboy look. Suddenly, he was rocking a slicked-back style that looked suspiciously like he’d been raiding Erling Haaland’s locker for hair ties. Pep Guardiola famously stopped him in his tracks, demanding an explanation for the new look. Honestly, it was the most relatable "boss seeing your vacation makeover" moment in Premier League history.
But there is more to the Kevin De Bruyne haircut than just a mid-career experiment. It actually tells a story about his evolution from a shy Chelsea prospect to the "Ginger Pele" of the Etihad.
The Evolution of the KDB Look
Early in his career, Kevin kept it simple. At Wolfsburg, it was basically a standard short-back-and-sides. No fuss. Just football. Even during his first few seasons under Pep, he stuck to a very disciplined, textured crop.
Everything changed during his 2023-2024 injury layoff.
When you're sidelined for four months after hamstring surgery, you have a lot of time to sit around. Apparently, Kevin decided to stop visiting the barber. By the time he returned to face Newcastle in January 2024—producing that legendary match-winning cameo—his hair was noticeably longer. It had a "flow" to it.
Why the Long Hair Mattered
Fans on Reddit and Twitter started calling it his "final form." There’s a psychological thing here. When a player changes their look after a major injury, it often signals a "rebuilt" version of themselves. For De Bruyne, the longer, swept-back fringe made him look less like a technician and more like a marauding Viking.
By the start of the 2024/25 season, the length had reached a point where he could pull it back into a man bun or top knot. This is the "Haaland effect." While Erling wears his hair long and loose or in a high ponytail, KDB’s version was tighter and more controlled.
How to Get the Kevin De Bruyne Haircut
If you’re heading to the barber to copy this, don't just ask for "The De Bruyne." He’s had too many versions. You’ve gotta be specific.
If you want the classic 2023 "Mid-Length Flow," ask for an undercut with a layered top. You need about 4 to 5 inches of length on top to get that sweeping motion. The sides should be tapered—not a skin fade, but a clean 3mm to 6mm (a #1 or #2 guard) that blends into the top.
For the 2024/25 "Top Knot" look, you basically just need patience. You can't shortcut this one. You need at least 6 to 8 inches of hair on top to comfortably pull it back without it looking messy or requiring forty bobby pins.
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The Styling Secret
Kevin’s hair is famously fine and straight. If you have that typical Northern European hair texture, it flops the second you start running. KDB clearly uses a high-hold product that doesn't look greasy.
Professional stylists who analyze these looks often point toward products like By Vilain Gold Digger or Sidekick pre-styling spray. You want something that provides a "matte" finish. You’re going for "I’ve been bossing the midfield for 90 minutes," not "I’m going to a 1920s jazz club."
Basically, use a clay or a wax. Stay away from gels. Gel makes ginger or blonde hair look darker and thinner, which is exactly what you don't want.
The "Ginger Pele" Identity
One thing Kevin has always been vocal about is his ginger hair. He’s leaned into it. He once famously joked that Phil Foden’s haircut was "too English" for him. He prefers a style that feels European—refined but slightly edgy.
It’s interesting how his hair has become a barometer for his confidence. When he first arrived at City, he looked like he was trying to blend in. Now? He’s comfortable standing out. Whether it’s the "Belgian Blowout" or the "Haaland-lite" bun, the hair reflects a player who knows he’s the best on the pitch.
What You Should Actually Tell Your Barber
Don't just show a photo of him from 2018. That’s old news.
- Length is King: Tell them you’re growing out the top but want the sides kept tight. This prevents the "mushroom" look during the awkward middle phase.
- Texturize: Ask for "point cutting" on the top. This removes weight and adds that messy, textured look that KDB has when he’s not wearing it in a bun.
- The Neckline: Keep it tapered. A harsh, blocked-off neckline grows out poorly and looks amateurish within a week.
The reality is that Kevin De Bruyne's hair is successful because it fits his face shape. He has a slightly rounded, boyish face, and the volume on top helps elongate his profile. If you have a very long, thin face, the top knot might make you look like a human exclamation point.
KDB’s journey from a buzz cut to a man bun proves that even the most "no-nonsense" players care about their brand. It's not just about the passes anymore. It's about the silhouette.
If you're planning to replicate the current look, start by grabbing a matte clay with a strong hold and letting the top grow for at least three months without touching it. Keep the sides tidy every three weeks to maintain the contrast.