THERE ARE TWO schools of thought on the sporting hairstyle. Either you keep it trim; both for aerodynamical purposes and to show how serious you are about every aspect of your meticulous preparation.

Or… you could let your long, luxurious locks be a living embodiment of your creativity.

These guys took the second option, and we salute them for it.

Robbie Savage

Never has a man-mane looked so magnificent as it does when worn by a former Birmingham, Blackburn and Derby County clogger.

(AP Photo)

Richard Hibbard

The Welsh hooker was the one who inspired this list. We haven’t seen him up close for a while, you see. So, when he rocked up in Paris wearing this, frankly, Savage-esque mop it really made us think about skipping the barbers and heading straight for the salon.

David Jones/PA

Ciaran McDonald

But it’s not just the Welsh who take pride in their follicles. Mayo training is always a great place to spot the hair-schtyles and McDonald’s corn-rows were one of our football highlights of the last 20 years.

©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Clay Matthews

You want further west than Mayo? How about Wisconsin? Epic strands.

(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Troy Polamalu

(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Lasith Malinga

Perhaps not as long or smooth as some of our other contenders for best hair, but those frosted tips really make that fast bowl pop.

(AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

Carlos Valderrama

No list would be complete.

(AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Marouane Fellaini

It’s just massive.

(AP Photo)

David Ginola

Pfft, would you look at Joe Hart and his so-called Head and Shoulders ad. We long for a time when you needed at least 10 inches of hair to warrant air-time.

Ginola, now there was a guy who could sell shampoo. Look how lovely his hair is. way better than Temuri Ketsbaia’s.

(AP Photo)

Jason McAteer

Still better than Joe Hart’s effort.

(AP photo)

Jim McGuinness

Any excuse to dig these old photos out again.

©INPHO/Tom Honan

Tom Huddlestone

The Spurs midfielder used to be such a clean-cut kid. Now himself and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (honourable mention) have allowed their spirit soar – through the back of their afro/mullet.

(AP photo)

Adam Jones

Aww, can we keep him?

David Davies/PA Wire

Paul Griffen

There’s definitely a sub-set of rugby players who love a barnet. Oh, BOD’s enhanced blonde effort was note-worthy back in the day too… then he was named Lions captain and had to get a sensible short, back and sides.

Michael Cooper/EMPICS

Dimitri Szarzewski

Just wow, Dimitri. Wow.

(AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Sebastien Chabal

Forget the hooker above, forget Ginola. No Frenchman has ever had more hair than this dude.

Chabal: (AP photo)

And he takes us full circle…

Savage dance: (AP photo)

Snapshot: Pope resigns, Roy Keane reckons he could do a job

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