Former Liverpool and Chelsea midfielder Raul Meireles looks completely unrecognisable following his retirement with the Portuguese star donning a different hairstyle
08:00, 18 Mar 2025
Raul Meireles
Raul Meireles had a unique style(Image: STUART ROBINSON)
Ex-Liverpool and Chelsea midfielder Raul Meireles looks totally unrecognisable from his playing days.
The Portuguese talent donned a number of iconic hairstyles when he played in the Premier League during short stints at Anfield and Stamford Bridge, with his most notable hairstyle being a stunning mohawk partnered with a full beard.
However, following his playing days, the combative midfielder now has a more subtle hairstyle now he’s not in the face of battle anymore. Meireles, who turned 41 on Monday, currently sports a high fade with a short top – a far cry from his previous wild hairdo.
Meireles’ distinctive looks went beyond his hairstyle, with the Portuguese’s tattoos also eye-catching. His level of artwork saw his joke he wanted to win the “ink championship” against his former tatted-up team-mates Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger while at Liverpool.
The 76-time Portugal international played the majority of his career in his homeland, spending six years at Porto after joining from Boavista. Meireles made an £11.5million move to Anfield in August 2010, making 44 appearances in his only full season in Merseyside.
Raul Meireles
The Portuguese midfielder looks unrecognisable from his playing days
Despite being a regular starter for the Reds that season, Meireles was on the move the following summer as he joined Chelsea in a reported £12m deal as the Blues looked to find a replacement for the injured Michael Essien.
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Meireles remained in west London for only one season but did lift the Champions League despite missing the final against Bayern Munich through suspension. Meireles again made a move late in the summer window, this time joining Fenerbahce for £8m.
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The midfielder remained at the Turkish giants for the rest of his career until he hung up his boots in 2016. Following his retirement, Meireles hasn’t entered management, instead, he and his wife co-own a fashion boutique in northern Portugal in a fitting career move given his eccentric style.