THE 2006 WORLD Cup has burst emphatically into life, with football's finest laying on a sumptuous feast of mazy dribbles, heroic defending, and spectacular goals. But for fans of the beautiful game across the globe, it is not just the technical ability of the world's footballing elite that they have come to admire. In fact, it would not be the World Cup without odd hair-raising moments. Following in the footsteps of World Cup icons of the past, such as former USA defender Alexi Lalas or Colombian midfield general Carlos Valderrama, the class of 2006 have taken the field sporting a variety of hairstyles. The Germany 2006 catwalk has provided us with some real talking points. But for some players, it is simply a case of "hair today, gone tomorrow". It seems that the most common tonsure amongst the top dogs of football is the shaved look. And this is where tournament newcomers Côte d'Ivoire stand out. Take the peroxide blond crop of striker Arouna Kone, the tribal designs belonging to pugnacious midfielder Romaric, or the natty rasta style of Bakary Kone. And the fashion parade does not stop there. Perhaps they were in a hurry to get to Germany, but it seems that a fair few footballers did not bother their barbers in the run-up to the tournament. The "castaway" look has been a common sight during the group stage of action. A classic example is to be seen atop the head of Japan centre-half Yuji Nakazawa, the man who had to answer to the nickname "Bomberhead" in his early career, thanks to his penchant for eccentricity with his hair. Korea Republic sharpshooter Ahn Jung-Hwan on the other hand, favours a mid-1970s playboy look, his long tresses groomed to perfection. Before the tournament, Italy playmaker Francesco Totti was to be seen prowling around the training ground beneath a hairstyle that can only be described as leonine. But in true Roman fashion, the gallant gladiator was given the thumbs-up to put the beast to the sword in favour of a sharper, neater look. Regardless of Totti's last-minute climb- down, desert-island chic has certainly made its mark among the Latin American players. Another star who is causing a hairy hullabaloo is Mexico's marauding midfielder Gerardo Torrado. His tangled locks fall squarely into the "Carlos Valderrama Jr" category. All he needs is a little more time with his crimping irons in the morning. Tournament favourites Argentina are turning into the Samsons of the competition, drawing their strength from their long-haired libertines Hernan Crespo and Juan Sorin. Meanwhile, curly Carles Puyol was so excited to be named in the Spain squad that he clearly n forgot to pack that essential item for today's well- groomed defensive hardman -- a comb. As we continue with our players' pantomime, there are two outstanding candidates for the coveted role of Prince Charming. Any Cinderella would love to be swept off her feet by Czech icon Pavel Nedved, or even Serbia and Montenegro's dashing young wing-back Dusan Basta. Vintage sights and sounds have also provided some inspiration for our image- conscious competitors. Serbia and Montenegro goal-poacher Mateja Kezman and the Czech Republic's reserve keeper Jaromir Blazek have both gone punk, with their Sex Pistols-style mohicans. Ecuador's midfield prodigy Luis Saritama has looked to the 1980s for his hairstyle, with a mullet typical of cinematic legends Steven Seagal and Chuck Norris. England's Rio Ferdinand, meanwhile, has gone dreadlocks. In the 'dyed-in-the-wool' category, the first nomination goes to Japan's blond bombshell Junichi Inamoto. He is hoping to see off the challenge of his colourful counterparts, Korea Republic's Lee Chun-Soo and Spain's veteran shot-stopper Santiago Canizares. Worthy of mention too is Serbia and Montenegro striker Danijel Ljuboja, who will be hoping that his badger-inspired central stripe can end his team's losing streak. But among the afros, the mullets and the badgers, one thing is for sure: the World Cup finals are a chance for many players to make their mark on world football's biggest stage. The fact that many choose to do so while committing heinous fashion crimes only adds to the fun.
