Neymar Jr has dominated most conversations on social media after he was seen sporting an unfamiliar haircut in Brazil's first group game with Switzerland on Sunday. Although his new look barely affects his immense talent and capability, it is believed that the reason for it is to divert attention from the fact that he recently returned from a lengthy injury lay-off.
However, that has not immune the 26-year-old from the influx of trolling and reproach on Twitter. Here are some of the reactions from fans:
Neymar enters Worst-Ever Brazilian Superstar World Cup Haircut sweepstakes; falls far short of Ronaldo Fenomeno's unsurpassable 2002 effort pic.twitter.com/i5xnBIHpUE
— Robert Mackey (@RobertMackey) June 16, 2018
neymar's haircut is a world-historical tragedy
— Alex Press (@alexnpress) June 17, 2018
Not sure about Neymar's haircut #WorldCup #BRA pic.twitter.com/JgmrMmYTUD
— Historical Sport (@HistorySport_) June 17, 2018
Barber: What type of haircut would you like?
— LFC Review (@LFCreview) June 17, 2018
Neymar: I want the Trump look.. #WTF #LOL #BrazilVSSwitzerland pic.twitter.com/0RIJgDxg31
KNEW I saw Neymar's haircut before. pic.twitter.com/rgJUuaQfo5
— Pro:Direct Soccer (@ProD_Soccer) June 17, 2018
Ronaldo's hair cut was one of the worst seen at a World Cup
— Ladbrokes (@Ladbrokes) June 17, 2018
Neymar: Hold my beer pic.twitter.com/o5pZIRRp7l
Knew I'd seen that Neymar haircut elsewhere. #BrazilVSSwitzerland pic.twitter.com/MtGATAkUuV
— Ben Atkins (@BenAtkins20) June 17, 2018
Neymar's haircut. pic.twitter.com/2movO681nV
— #SendMe (@emtee_limba) June 17, 2018
Neymar's new hair cut inspired by #supernoodles #BRASWI pic.twitter.com/m9hdL95x3c
— Nick Z Media Teacher (@NZ_Media) June 17, 2018
Forget the rest of the tournament, Neymar has already won worst haircut (ever)
— Anna Woodberry (@anna_woodberry) June 17, 2018
In retrospect, Neymar's 'ridiculous' haircut has the same precedent as that of Ronaldo de Lima in 2002. The legendary Real Madrid and Brazil forward sidetracked the attention of fans with his famous haircut after a suffering a near-career-ending knee injury in 2000.
He subsequently fired the Selecao to their fifth World Cup triumph with his eight goals.