Carlos Valderrama has promised to shave his famous curly locks if his beloved Colombia take home the trophy at this summer’s World Cup in Russia.
The now-retired midfielder became a cult hero to football fans all over the world after catching the eye with his eccentric hairstyle and elegant style of play, and is arguably Colombia’s most famous-ever soccer export.
Having won 111 caps for Colombia over 13 years, and having turned out in three different World Cups himself, Valderrama will be glued to the TV in June and July to see if his country’s latest crop of stars can go all the way – and he’s even putting his famous barnet on the line.
After announcing he’ll be a pundit alongside Jose Mourinho on RT this summer, the 56-year-old was asked by the Russian broadcasters if he’d shave his head if they won the trophy, and he said: “If we are world champions… it’s yes.
I think it’s important to provide all the information to Colombia and the whole of South America. We are going to have the information directly for Colombia, for South America, and that gives me a great satisfaction.
“We don’t qualify for World Cups very often, you know. So, we have to use this opportunity and if we reach there, we live it in the flesh.”
To be fair, it might seem slightly fanciful but Colombia have a pretty formidable team, with the likes of Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez, Barcelona’s Yerry Mina and Tottenham’s Davidson Sanchez.
The South Americans start their campaign to be world champions on June 19 against Japan – but what do you think of the bet?
RSS