Comments on: Is Goalkeeping Hazardous to Your Hairline?

By: Pd

Pd — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 20:57:58 +0000

By the way, how come nobody mentioned Barthez, really the most famous of all baldy goalies?

Is it because he’s a former manc and therefore doesn’t deserve a mention in any context?

I agree fully, let’s forget about him, he doesn’t count.

By: Pd

Pd — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 20:38:47 +0000

Yeh. Absolutely right. The thought has been passing under my own balding scalp for some time. My preferred position is in net. But more than that, taking the 10-1 ratio into account, there is a far higher proportion of bald professional goalkeepers than outfield players. God knows why. There appears to be no good explanation for it (and stress is no answer, its already proven that although an established connection to hair loss, has no relation to male pattern baldness)

I believe that the revenues that go into British football should be invested completely into researching the answer.

Now, to the tune of Hey Macarena, altogether now “He’s big and he’s bald and he’s called Pepe Reina, he’s big and he’s bald and he’s called Pepe Reina, he’s big and he’s bald and he’s called Pepe Reina, heeeeeyy Pepe Reina – ayiee”

By: James

James — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 21:20:41 +0000

How about Arjen Robben? He’s only 21 or something and will be bald in about three weeks at the rate his hair is thinning!

By: Keddy

Keddy — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 06:17:38 +0000

I’ve got the answer: bald guys have the most skills and thus are more able to hold down the #1 important position. Problem solved, glad I could help. Next bday gift though, family and freinds please get a subscription to the Journal of Investigative Dermatology. You have to love this blog. Keep it up DK!

By: jmadera14

jmadera14 — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 23:25:15 +0000

The lack of hair probably comes from a lack of marbles. Nowhere on the pitch are mind games more involved than inside the box. You have to be a bit crazy to be a keeper…

By: louisquatorze

louisquatorze — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:45:27 +0000

Kahn, though, continues to somewhat resemble a blond gorilla and sports a full head of hair. And Timo Hildebrand’s hair is commercial-worthy. He’s younger, though. As far as field players…I’m convinced that Freddie Ljungberg started shaving by choice before it all went away by nature. Not that it doesn’t look fantastic on him, of course.

By: David

David — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:17:28 +0000

Louis – You’re right. Now that I think about it, Lehmann is going a bit bald. And I think you also have a good point that because goalkeepers play longer than field players typically do, they are more likely to go bald while still playing.

By: Daily Dose 07.17.07 - World Football - The Offside - Soccer News and Opinion from leagues around the world

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 15:00:29 +0000

[...] Become a keeper, save money on haircuts (Culture of Soccer) [...]

By: louisquatorze

louisquatorze — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 12:32:51 +0000

Well, Lehmann’s hair isn’t entirely all there…if you watch as many Arsenal games as I do, the bald spot in the back is visible and looks to be growing. But then again, he’s of an age when that normally happens to people, goalkeepers or not.

By: retronai

retronai — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 06:40:15 +0000

I think the problem is more specifically with keepers from the US. Most of the keepers from England and Spain (except Pepe Reina perhaps) are capable of sporting a headful of hair.