Greatest Bald XI in Football History

The headlines say that Wayne Rooney's hair transplant has done more for the industry than any advertisement.

Rooney was a pin-up for male pattern baldness sufferers around the world, and now he has turned his back on his fellow shiny heads.

In celebration of men who are confident with their baldness, here is the Greatest Bald XI ever in a 4-4-2.   

Goalkeeper: Pepe Reina

It may be a coincidence that all of the greatest goalkeepers had a full head of hair. 

Dino Zoff had a jet-black mop, Peter Schmeichel had a blonde crew cut and Gordon Banks had a brown Beatles style. 

There is no doubt, however, that Reina is a top keeper. He is possibly the best in the Premier League and the La Masia student would start for any other national team. 

Right-Back: Lilian Thuram

What an outstanding defender. Thuram read the game beautifully and he had power and pace to back it up.

A vital player in the Golden Generation of French football, Thuram won a World Cup and a European Championship in a Les Bleus jersey.

Look at that lovely shine. 

Centre-Back: Jaap Stam

Jaap Stam the big, bald Dutchman.

Voted twice as the Best Defender in the Champions League, Stam stood head and shoulders above other defenders in the late '90s. He did not even need hair to look tall.

Sir Alex Ferguson has only regretted one transfer openly, and that was Stam's move to Lazio. This shows his immense quality right up until his retirement.  

Centre-Back: Sol Campbell

Campbell left Tottenham for big rivals Arsenal. He was a dazzling young defender then. 

His career slowly fell away but those early years will be remembered fondly. Like Thuram, the man from London had pace and power to beat the band. 

A vital member of the Invincibles, Campbell has sported a bald head since his early days in a Spurs shirt.  

Left-Back: Roberto Carlos

Carlos may not be bald but he does appreciate the skinhead.

After 11 years at Real Madrid, the Cannonball Kid moved to Fenerbahce in 2007. He brought with him an outstanding record.

With a lethal free kick and a marauding attitude, Carlos is one of the greatest attacking left-backs of all time.   

Right-Midfielder: Arjen Robben

On a good day, Robben is one of the best players in the world. 

The Dutchmen has had his fair share of injuries which have stunted his progress. There is no doubt that if Robben could stay fit for a period of time, he could be in contention for a Ballon d'Or.

What's more, Robben has seemingly always had a bald head, which is surprising.  

Centre Midfielder: Sir Bobby Charlton

Sir Bob and his famous comb over.

As one part of the famous Holy Trinity at Manchester United, the great man had a fantastic shot with both feet.

He was a great thinker on the game, and led United to their first European Cup win in 1968.   

Centre Midfielder: Alfredo Di Stefano

Possibly the greatest all around footballer to ever grace a football pitch, Di Stefano is a true legend.

He could tackle, pass and head with not a bead of sweat. The great player scored goals for fun and he did so lacking a full head of hair. 

The fact that he is never picked in the top three of all-time is astonishing. 

Left-Midfielder: Zinedine Zidane

The reasons Materazzi went down like a ton of bricks after that headbutt was because there was no hair on Zidane's head to cushion the blow.

Zidane's flair and elegance was seen throughout a career that spanned two decades.

He had more hair on his chest than he did on his head, but it wouldn't be Zidane if there wasn't something different about him. 

Striker: Gianluca Vialli

Vialli only went thin towards the end of his career, but for people from a younger generation, that bald head is iconic.

The ex-Italy international enjoyed a fruitful relationship with childhood friend, Roberto Mancini, at Sampdoria in the '80s and '90s. This partnership led to the most successful era in the club's history.

Striker: Nicolas Anelka

Le Sulk was touted to be the best player since Maradona when he came into the first team in PSG in 1996. 

Anelka had the talent to be the best but he never had the conviction or desire. Too many times he had off days.

I am sure they have some remedies in Shanghai for his bald head.