No, Landon Donovan did not leave a haircut appointment early to make it in time for Fox Sports’ UEFA Euro 2024 coverage on Monday.
Hours after the former soccer star, 42, went viral over the bizarre new look, Donovan explained in a text exchange with his former LA Galaxy teammate Mike Magee that he underwent a hair transplant procedure two weeks prior.
“LD check twitter asap and prob fire your barber,” Magee messaged Donovan, who replied, “Where were you seven hours ago??? Had a hair transplant procedure two weeks ago and was told it wouldn’t show up on camera.”
Magee then asked Donovan if he could blast their text change on social media.
“Whatever, I deserve it,” Donovan replied.
When Donovan appeared on the broadcast of Austria’s 1-0 loss to France on Monday, the commentary from social media revved up immediately.
“Did Landon Donovan literally run out of the barbers half way through a haircut because he was late for work?” one X user posted.
Another quipped, “Landon Donovan gives absolute zero f–ks, & you know what, I respect that.”
Donovan was a member of the LA Galaxy from 2005-14 and had a second stint with the team in 2016.
Regarded as one of the American greats, Donovan is tied with Clint Dempsey for netting the most USMNT goals with 57.
Donovan is the only American to win the Golden Ball Award and has won the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year a record four times.
Though Donovan made three World Cup appearances throughout his career, coach Jurgen Klinsmann famously left him off the roster in 2014.
That team – who had seven players under the age of 24 – would’ve benefited from having an experienced veteran in Donovan as they were knocked out in the Round of 16 to Belgium.
Donovan officially called it a career in 2018.
He became a color commentator for Fox Sports after his retirement.
