Gentlemen prefer blond: Lionel Messi follows trend and turns heads with new hairdo

For once, it’s not what Lionel Messi is doing with his feet that’s creating a stir.

After dyeing his hair peroxide blond, the Barcelona forward will stand out even more in matches.

The 29-year-old Argentine revealed the new hairdo, covering previously dark locks, at the Spanish champions’ pre-season training camp in England.

Defender Aleix Vidal seemed bemused to be asked about Messi’s hair on Wednesday, saying “he’s free to do whatever he wants. I’m not bothered – he’s the best.”

Messi isn’t a trendsetter with his hair.

In recent months, James Rodriguez (Real Madrid), Samir Nasri (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) and Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United) have gone blond.