USMNT legend Landon Donovan comes clean about his hair struggles - and shows off his transformation to the world

“If you look good, you feel good.” A mantra for those who believe it, a tired cliché for others who don’t. USMNT legend Landon Donovan very much falls into the first of those two categories.

In October last year, the former LA Galaxy star gave his social media followers ringside seats as he embarked on a long-sought-after process to completely change his appearance. All thanks to a little bit of hair.

Hair loss and early attempts

Donovan started losing his hair when he was around 20, attempting his first hair restoration a few years later. Unsuccessful, he waited until the summer of 2024 to try again, but ended up going unintentionally viral for his rather patchy look while working for Fox Sports at that year’s EURO 2024.

The United States’ all-time joint top goalscorer has been vocal in the past about suffering from depression, not helped by worries over his appearance, and specifically his hair, or lack thereof.

“I got to this point where - and I don’t know, maybe it’s mid-life crisis or whatever - where psychologically it was (important),” Donovan told The Athletic last October. “I thought to myself it’s just annoying to have this. Every time I saw myself in a picture: ‘I’m bald here and bald up here.’ And I don’t even know what it’s like to have hair. No idea. So my choices are leave it as is, shave it all off or try to do a hair piece.”

Turning to social media

In September, the former attacker left it in the hands of his social media followers to decide what he should do. Although he gave them limited choices, he explained that going completely bald or keeping the status quo, leaving the little he had left, were “not options”.

“I can try the last thing, which is a hair system … basically a wig, to see if that works,” Donovan explained. “So that’s what I’m thinking about doing. But I need your help if I do it. What type of hairstyle should I get? I’m sure there’ll be a lot of banter, funny answers. That’s fine. But real answers, too. I need your help.”

Donovan documents transformation

Over the next couple of weeks, the 44-year-old documented his transformation from nothing there to a full head of hair online.

First came a video of an “excited but nervous” Donovan attending an appointment to get a hair piece for the first time. A few days later, he was back with another “hair update,” thanking followers for the support they had shown him during what was clearly a tough ordeal.

“I had no idea how many people were dealing with this, struggling with it. I’ve had thousands of messages. I really appreciate the support and to everybody who is struggling with hair loss, it’s OK to be vulnerable. Be brave. I’m loving it.”

A boost in confidence

Donovan reaffirmed that last statement a few weeks later to The Athletic.

“My confidence in the last week when I’m just walking around is skyrocketing. I didn’t realize how much I was aware of my hair, or lack of it, because now I walk around and think: ‘I’m kind of handsome. I’m not this ugly balding guy.’ I feel like I’m an all right-looking guy. So for other people I think it can do a lot too.”

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