The football legend and British style icon David Beckham needs no introduction — nor does his hair, which alone gets 13,600 global searches per month.
After he first wore curtain bangs in the 90s, the footballer ‘dos have taken on a life of their own, spawning trends that are still in vogue today.
However, because every inch of his locks is scrutinised, people noticed when something didn’t seem right, especially after images of his thinning pate emerged many years ago.
But the former footballer never went completely bald. In fact, his hair grew back in all its glory, triggering speculation about David Beckham’s hair transplant.
Is there any truth to it? Let’s find out.
Who Is David Beckham?
David Beckham is a retired English footballer who has played for some of the biggest and most notable football clubs, including Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.
Beckham also captained the England football team, scoring 17 goals in his 115 caps. He was known for his incredible free kicks and for being one of football’s best passers.
In 1992, at the age of 17, Beckham made his Premier League debut after winning the FA Youth Cup. However, by 1996, he’d won his first FA Cup with the Reds, and many more titles and achievements followed, including Champions League, another FA Cup, and 6 Premier League titles.
In 2013, Beckham retired from the sport but kept his legacy alive by becoming part owner of the soccer club Inter Miami shortly after.
Has David Beckham Had A Hair Transplant?
Although it is widely speculated that David Beckham had a hair transplant in 2018, the footballer’s photos seem to indicate otherwise. Despite the receding temples and thinner hair at the top, it doesn’t look like the ex-footballer had a hair transplant.
While David has remained tight-lipped on the subject, the DailyMail reported him to have said this about getting a hair transplant:
“There is definitely nothing wrong with doing that. But I don't think personally I would. If I do start showing signs of going bald, then I will shave it off.”
David’s hair has repeatedly gone from noticeably thinning to looking full again, which makes the possibility of a hair transplant less likely. Though he might be using some other treatments for his hair loss.
David’s Hair Over The Years
Here’s a look at some iconic hairstyles David Beckham has worn over the years, as well as how his hair has evolved over the years.
Year 1999
One of the most famous haircuts from the 90s was Beckham’s blonde fringe which he paired with sideburns. The 24-year-old did not have the slightest hint of pattern baldness or any other kind of hair loss at that time.
Michael Cairns, 1999 FA Cup Final Beckham corner (cropped), Cropped, CC BY 2.0
Year 2001
Following the “buzz” his buzzcut created the year prior, things reached a fever pitch when Becks debuted his mini mohawk, thankfully morphing into a Hoxton Fin in 2002.
Year 2003
The year he became a Galáctico, David pulled off yet another trendsetting hairstyle — this time a man-bun.
The problem with this type of hairstyle is that tightly bound hair can experience breakage due to a type of hair loss known as traction alopecia. It can particularly affect the sides of the scalp, and when such stress is applied for a long time, it can cause permanent hair loss.
It is possible that David experienced some temple hair loss as a result of such hairstyles.
s_bukley/Depositphotos.com
Year 2005
Aged 30, David switched up his hairstyle yet again, but this time he wore a rather suave-looking mullet.
s_bukley/Depositphotos.com
Year 2007
He grew his hair long for some part of the year but eventually got rid of it to sport a platinum and then dark buzzcut.
No sign of hair loss is apparent here either — David’s hairline is intact with a widow’s peak that seems the same as before.
Image (left): s_bukley/Depositphotos.com & Image (right): ChinaImages/Depositphotos.com
Year 2010
In a much tamer hairstyle than before, David let his locks grow long once more.
Jean_Nelson/Depositphotos.com
Year 2012
A year before his retirement, David wore a perfectly coiffed side-swept hairstyle.
Jean_Nelson/Depositphotos.com
Year 2016
It was a couple of years before rumours of David’s hair transplant started flying, but, as can be seen, his hair looked as good as ever.
everett225/Depositphotos.com
Year 2017
With his hair pulled back, David’s temples look slightly receded, which could be due to traction alopecia. However, there are no other apparent signs of hair loss.
arp/Depositphotos.com
Year 2018
Though rumours circulated about Beckham’s alleged hair transplant, David’s hair game remained strong as he brought back his old mullet.
ChinaImages/Depositphotos.com
Year 2019
A year before bombshell images of Beckham’s thinning scalp emerged, there were not even the slightest hints that the ace footballer was balding anywhere.
Mike Fanshawe, David Beckham Victoria Beckham 2019, Cropped, CC BY 3.0
Year 2020
Around 45 years old at this time, Beckham’s hair broke the internet yet again, but for all the wrong reasons.
David Beckham balding. 😭
— Not Match of the Day (@NOT_MOTD) May 13, 2020
Nobody is safe. pic.twitter.com/Viu13CyDz6
David’s scalp could be seen through his hair. However, there might be a few reasons why his scalp looked the way it did, specifically when he was photographed in the Cotswolds.
Combined with the bright light of the sun and the light colour of his hair, David’s slightly downward tilted head gave an exacerbated impression that his scalp had thinned.
Year 2021
After he’d grown his hair longer, his hair looked quite dense and full at the top.
Year 2023
Concerns again rose about Beckham’s thinning thatch when he got a buzzcut again.
Year 2024
Yet once again, there seemed to be no trouble in paradise as David’s thick thatch dispelled all rumours about his hair loss.
How Did David Regrow His Hair?
On several occasions, David’s hair appears to be thinning at the top before becoming thick and full again.
One possible explanation for this could be hair fibres, which can stick to the existing hair through a static charge and create the illusion of fuller hair. However, of course, it’s only a temporary way to conceal hair loss.
However, medication is another possibility — drugs like finasteride and minoxidil can both stimulate the growth of your natural hair. However, their effect only lasts for so long as you take them.
Of the two, however, hair fibres seem more likely. Additionally, he can easily conceal his scalp when he grows his hair long.
Reactions To David Beckham’s Hair Loss
Many Redditors have noticed the change in David’s hair, but there’s no consensus on what, if anything, he might’ve done.
“Diffuse thinning, he has been balding for years you could see it during the Milan times. He's also using fibers most of the times, for some reason not in this vid.:
“Pretty sure he had a transplant a long time ago, you can tell in some pictures that the hair in the front has different characteristics than his crown and mid scalp. He also uses fibers. Looks like his hair is starting to diffuse all over. Having said all that, he’s handsome ass dude with tons of money and a good shaped head, he’s going to look good forever, regardless of hair.”
“Y’all are underrating the effect of lighting. Ofc he probably has started some regiment but anyone under direct sunlight/harsh light will look 10 time more bald then they really are.”
“100% lighting and fibers. I can pull off the same thing as I have similar (although a bit better than his) hair.”
Footballers Who Had A Hair Transplant
While David might not have had a hair transplant, there are others, either confirmed or widely rumoured, who have:
- Wayne Rooney
- Rob Holding
- David Silva
- Xherdan Shaqiri
- Gareth Bale
- Andros Townsend
- Antonio Conte
- Jurgen Klopp
Thinking About Getting A Hair Transplant?
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