A pictorial history of Xabi Alonso’s beard

It’s a hectic time for Xabi Alonso and his beard. First the midfielder announced his retirement from international football – now it seems he’s about to move from Real Madrid to Bayern Munich.

That mean’s football’s neatest face furniture will no longer be seen on the football pitches of Spain. To mark the occasion, we looked back at the history of Alonso’s beard to give Bayern fans an idea of what they might expect.

As a fresh-faced youngster playing for Real Sociedad, he sported a smart pair of sideburns.

(John Walton/EMPICS)

The sidies were gone when he joined Liverpool in 2004.

(Adam Davy/EMPICS)

By the moment of his greatest triumph with Liverpool, the 2005 Champions League final, the burns were creeping back.

(Luca Bruno/AP)

By 2007 the first hints were surfacing that he felt his chin might need covering.

(Dave Thompson/AP)

And the following year he took his first foray into face fuzz proper.

(Peter Byrne/PA)

Within weeks it was gone.

(Nigel French/EMPICS)

But as all experienced beard wearers know, it’s best to dispense with the first growth, as the hair will return stronger and more vibrant.

(Joe Giddens/EMPICS)

The facial hair was now a firm fixture. And though the length varied… (Peter Byrne/PA)

…it was always neat and perfectly presented. (Jon Buckle/EMPICS)

The stubble went with him to Real Madrid. (Victor Carretero/AP)

The beard truly flourished back in Spain. (Antonio Calanni/AP)

At his most traumatic moment, Alonso turned his head to shield his beard from harsh reality. (Luca Bruno/AP)

The pair were briefly parted during his time in Spain. (Lynne Cameron/PA)

But fear not, German pogonophiles: the 2014 vintage is the best ever.

(Nick Potts/EMPICS)