I have tried a lot of haircuts. But none stopped me mid-scroll like Messi's hair.
Here is what gets me. The man could wear anything. He has the fame, the money, the status. And he still picks cuts that are clean, low effort, and actually wearable by normal people.
No over-the-top styling. No two hours in front of a mirror. Just good hair that works.
His styles have changed a lot over the years. From long shaggy locks at Barcelona to sharp fades at the World Cup. Each look got people talking.
In this article, I'll show you the best Messi haircut styles you can actually try. I'll tell you how to style each one. And exactly what to tell your barber.
Let's get into it.
Lionel Messi Haircut Evolution
Messi started his career at FC Barcelona with long, messy hair that gave him a relaxed, youthful look.
It matched the energy of a teenager who had just broken into one of the biggest clubs in the world. No fuss. No styling. Just natural.
Over time, that changed. He moved toward cleaner cuts. Crew cuts. Comb overs. Faux hawks. Taper fades. Each change matched where he was in life. The hair got sharper as his game did.
By the time he lifted the World Cup in 2022, his look was polished and deliberate. Since joining Inter Miami, his styles have stayed practical and low effort. But they still turn heads both on and off the pitch.
Best 5 Messi Haircuts to Try
These are the cuts fans copy the most, and barbers get asked for every day.
1. Messi Taper Fade Haircut
This is one of Messi's most-worn looks. The sides are short and tapered. The top keeps 3 to 4 inches of length with natural texture.
It's a clean cut that doesn't feel too styled. Pair it with a connected beard and it instantly looks more grown-up.
To style it, apply a small amount of matte clay to dry hair. Work it through the top with your fingers. Keep the shape loose and natural. No heavy product needed.
Barber Instructions
Here's exactly what to say at the shop:
- Ask for a low or mid taper fade
- Keep 3 to 4 inches of length on top
- Request textured layers for movement, done with scissors rather than clippers for a softer finish
- Ask for the fade to be blended around the sides and back
2. Messi Faux Hawk Haircut
The faux hawk is a bolder take on Messi's everyday style. The sides are faded short. The center keeps more length with texture running front to back.
There's a slight lift at the front without looking over-styled. To get this look, apply a light pomade or styling cream to damp hair.
Use your fingers to push the center section upward and forward. Let it dry naturally for a softer finish.
Barber Instructions
Keep it simple with these pointers:
- Ask for a textured faux hawk, not a sharp mohawk shape
- Leave enough length on top for easy styling, around 2 inches, so the center has something to work with
- Request a smooth fade on both sides
3. Messi Textured Crew Cut
This is the easiest Messi-inspired cut to maintain. The sides are faded or tapered. The top is kept short with added texture.
It works for most hair types and needs almost no effort to style. To wear it well, apply a small amount of matte product to dry hair.
Run your fingers through the top to separate the texture. That's it. A clean, simple cut that always looks sharp.
Barber Instructions
Tell your barber these three things:
- Keep tapered or faded sides
- Add texture to the top with scissors using a point-cut technique, not clippers, for a natural look
- Use matte products for a natural finish
4. Messi Brush Up Haircut
The brush up is all about volume at the front. The sides are shorter. The top is pushed upward and slightly forward. It gives a modern, polished finish without looking too stiff.
This is the cut Messi has been wearing regularly since his time at Inter Miami. To style it, apply a medium-hold pomade to damp hair.
Use a blow dryer to lift the roots upward while directing the front forward. Once dry, shape the front section with your fingers and set it in place.
Barber Instructions
A few things to tell your barber:
- Apply product to damp hair before drying
- Blow-dry the roots upward for volume
- Shape the front section with fingers, not a comb
5. Messi Long Hair Style
This is Messi's older look from his early Barcelona years. Medium-length, layered hair with natural movement.
It's relaxed and slightly messy in a good way. To wear this style, let hair air-dry most of the way. Apply a sea salt spray for texture and separation.
Scrunch lightly with your hands. The goal is a lived-in, natural finish. This works best on thicker or slightly wavy hair.
Barber Instructions
A few things to tell your barber:
- Medium-length layers for natural movement
- A relaxed, slightly messy finish, not a blunt cut
- This style suits thicker or wavy hair best
Messi's Most Iconic Haircut Changes
A quick look at the moments his hair made headlines.
Messi's Young Barcelona Long Hair and Shaggy Mullet
In his early Barcelona years, Messi wore long, layered hair with a loose, messy shape. It was casual and unplanned-looking. But fans loved it.
The hair was longer at the back with a slightly shorter top, giving it that classic mullet shape without looking too deliberate.
His barber added light layers through the length for movement and to stop it looking flat. That shaggy, youthful look became one of the most recognized images of his early career. Many still think of it as his most natural and iconic style.
Messi's 2016 Platinum Blonde Haircut
In 2016, ahead of Copa America, Messi did something no one expected. He dyed his hair bright platinum blonde. The color was bold. The textured layers stayed.
It became one of the most talked-about hairstyle changes in football history. If you want to try this look yourself, a few things matter. Use a color-safe shampoo to keep the blonde bright.
Book regular color touch-ups every 4 to 6 weeks. And keep your hair well moisturized because bleach dries it out fast.
Messi's 2022 World Cup Haircut
At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Messi wore a mid taper fade with thick, textured hair on top. The front had a slightly spiky fringe.
He kept his beard, which pulled the whole look together. It was sharp, practical, and very wearable.
To get this cut, ask your barber for a mid taper fade. Keep the top full with volume and texture. Add a slightly messy spiky fringe at the front. Let the beard do the rest.
Tips to Style and Maintain a Messi Haircut
The right products and habits make all the difference.
- Use matte clay for a natural, textured finish without shine
- Use pomade when you want more volume and a firmer hold
- Use sea salt spray for medium to longer Messi-inspired styles
- Get your fade touched up every 3 to 5 weeks to keep it sharp
- Trim the top regularly and avoid letting one side grow out unevenly
- Don't overload your hair with product. A little goes a long way
- Ask for a point-cut finish on top when you get any of these cuts. It adds texture without bulk
- Adjust your styling method based on your hair type. Fine hair needs lighter products. Thick hair handles heavier ones
Conclusion
I'll be honest. I never thought too much about my hair until I saw how much Messi's cuts changed his whole look.
A good haircut does that. It doesn't need to be perfect. It just needs to work for you. You now have five solid Messi haircut options to choose from. Pick one.
Show your barber this post. And see what happens. If you tried one of these cuts, I'd love to know. Drop a comment below and tell me which one you went with.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hair type does Messi have?
Messi has naturally thick, slightly wavy dark brown hair, which is why textured cuts and matte products work so well on him.
Does Messi use any specific hair products?
Messi has not publicly named a brand, but his styles point clearly to matte clay or light pomade for a natural, low-shine finish.
What is Messi's beard style called?
Messi wears a full connected beard, kept medium length and groomed close to the face so it blends cleanly into his fade.
Can bald or thinning men pull off a Messi haircut?
Yes, a taper fade or crew cut actually works well for thinning hair because the short sides reduce contrast and make the top look fuller.
