The Afro XI: A team of footballers with afros

Portsmouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League

Footballers and weird hairstyles have long been part of football. From the best to the worst, there are some truly radical haircuts in football.

The Afro remains a very popular style amongst footballers, and a lot of them sport it these days.

On that note, we decided to compile our own XI of footballers with afros!

GK: David James

Former Portsmouth keeper David James, more popularly known as “Calamity James”, is one of those footballers who love to experiment with their hair, and he manages to pull off quite an afro!

RB: Rio Ferdinand

GBR: Manchester United Training Event And Launch Vodafone Cup

The less said about Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand’s afro, the better. All we can say is, Rio, the bald look suits you better!

LB: Benoit Assou-Ekotto

Tottenham Hotspur FC v  FC Basel 1893 - UEFA Europa League Quarter Final: First Leg

Tottenham Hotspur leftback Benoit Assou Ekotto once claimed he had never heard of Paulinho, his team’s latest signing! He has also been on record saying he doesn’t feel a special connection with the game or the fans and simply plays football for the money. Well, at least he is honest, and so is his afro!

CB: David Luiz

Queens Park Rangers v Chelsea - FA Cup Fourth Round

Chelsea defender David Luiz is a notorious prankster and an all-round good egg, a player loved by the fans and teammates alike. Whether his is an original afro or simply uncut curly hair is up for debate, but Luiz makes it to our team as a central defender.

CB: Dante

FBL-EUR-C1-DORTMUND-BAYERN

Bayern Munich defender Dante is the next defender on our list, and you have to admit that this is one of the most terrifying backlines of all-time! Dante’s medium sized afro is certainly worth it.

LM: Carlos Valderrama

Carlos Valderrama Mutiny

Just look at it. It’s like a lion’s mane, only on top of his head! Carlos Valderrama was a genuine flair player, and looking at the afro on top of his head, it’s easy to see why!

CM: Alex Song (Captain)

Arsenal v Birmingham City - Carling Cup Final

For having the audacity to sport a golden afro, Alex Song is the captain of our All-Afro XI. It’s telling that Song moved away from the afro pretty swiftly, lest he be mistaken for Djibril Cisse.

CM: Axel Witsel

FC Pacos de Ferreira v FC Zenit St Petersburg - UEFA Champions League Play-offs: First Leg

A decent player and a decent afro – Axel Witsel makes it to our team comfortably. Although it remains to be seen whether the afro is that comfortable while playing.

RM: Tom Huddlestone

Watford v Tottenham Hotspur - Pre Season Friendly

Former Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone is best remembered for two things: His thunderous piledrivers from outside the box and his unwise decision to sport an afro.

CAM: Marouane Fellaini

Manchester United Unveil new Signing

At this point, we should admit that Marouane Fellaini was the inspiration for this article. Even rival fans would admit that it is an intimidating afro, and gives a larger-than-life touch to the newest addition to Manchester United. Expect fans at Old Trafford to sport afro-wigs at the next home game!

ST: Kevin Keegan (R)

Hamburger SV v Bayern Munich

So much afro in one picture! Former German defender Paul Breitner and former English international and manager Kevin Keegan are the two afro-buddies in this image, and Keegan gets the nod for the lone striker’s position!

Notable mentions

These are the ones who missed the cut. You have to admit though, there wasn’t any chance of them upstaging one of the first XI players!

The Da Silva Twins

Manchester United v Juventus - Pre Season Friendly

Marcelo

Real Madrid CF v Real Betis Balompie - La Liga

Glen Johnson

Manchester United v Portsmouth - FA Community Shield

Fabricio Coloccini

Newcastle United v West Ham United - Premier League

Well, what do you think of our side? Think we missed out on any big names (read: big afros). Let us know via comments!

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Edited by Staff Editor