Joshua Nair
Landon Donovan has explained his viral trim after debuting the questionable hairstyle on live TV.
The American football legend was part of Fox Sports' punditry team during yesterday's Euro 2024 Group D clash between France and Austria, which Les Bleus emerged as 1-0 victors, with a Maximilian Wöber own goal enough to seal the three points.
But prior to kick-off, the attention wasn't on the might of Kylian Mbappe and his French side that are among the favourites to win the tournament, but on the head of a retired Donovan, innocently giving his thoughts on the two sides.
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Now 42, Donovan is known in the sports world as one of the pioneering US footballers to make a mark not just in the World Cup, but in Europe during his career.
Starting his career at German side Bayer Leverkusen in 1999, the forward went on loan to San Jose Earthquakes from 2001-2004, before permanently joining LA Galaxy, where he became a club legend, scoring 141 goals in 317 games.
He had stints on loan to Bayern Munich and Everton during his time with the Galaxy too, and is known on the international stage for scoring key goals for the US Men's National Team (USMNT) in the 2002 and 2010 World Cup tournaments.
Throughout his career, the tricky forward has not been known for his luscious head full of hair, but it seems like his new viral hairstyle has shocked several footy fans on social media.
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Taking to X, one fan said: "Did Landon Donovan literally run out of the barbers half way through a haircut because he was late for work?"
Another posted: "Landon Donovan please let go of whatever trim that is."
However, former LA Galaxy striker and teammate Mike Magee joined in on the conversation, joking: "LD check Twitter asap and prob fire your barber."
Donovan hit back at the former MLS star, explaining: "Where were you seven hours ago? Had a hair transplant procedure two weeks ago and was told it wouldn't show up on camera."
Magee then asked Donovan if he could share the texts, when the latter added: "It's what I deserve."
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Maybe he'll have a head full of smooth, flowing black hair by the time the final rolls around, and he'll be the one laughing.
A highly decorated career, which included six MLS Cups at club level and four CONCACAF Gold Cups for his country to go with his 157 caps, ended when Donovan called it a day after a stint with Mexican side León in 2018.
Following his retirement from the beautiful game, Donovan founded and became a co-owner of San Diego Loyal SC, which dissolved in 2023, though he also became a strategic advisor for English League One side Lincoln City in 2021.
He has consistently been involved in punditry since his retirement from international football.