16 photos that chart Mo Salah's style journey: the best curls in the business?

The Egyptian footballer and Liverpool star has shaken up his grooming choices over the years

Mohamed Salah, then playing as part of Egypt's Olympic football team, pictured at the Hilton Hotel on July 22, 2012 in Cardiff, Wales. The then 20-year-old sported short curls and a dusting of stubble with his kit. Getty Images

Mohamed Salah pictured at the Cobham Training Ground on January 31, 2014 in Cobham, England, shortly after signing with Chelsea. The footballer dabbled with closely cropped hair and leather sleeves when he first joined the English club. Getty Images

Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring a goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on March 22, 2014 in London, England. The footballer was beginning to let his hair grow back. Getty Images

The beginning of the curls, Mohamed Salah during an international friendly match between Jamaica and Egypt at the Matchroom Stadium on June 4, 2014 in London, England. Getty Images

The pro again experimented with a shorter 'do before committing to his signature longer curls. Mohamed Salah during a pre-season friendly match between Wycombe Wanderers and Chelsea at Adams Park on July 16, 2014 in High Wycombe, England. Getty Images

The beloved mop: Mohamed Salah, then playing for ACF Fiorentina, during the TIM Cup match between Juventus FC and ACF Fiorentina at Juventus Arena on March 5, 2015 in Turin, Italy. Getty Images

Mohamed Salah, playing for AS Roma and sporting more slicked-back locks, during the pre-season friendly match between AS Roma and Sevilla FC at Olimpico Stadium on August 14, 2015 in Rome, Italy. Getty Images

Mohamed Salah in action during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and AS Roma at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia on April 17, 2016 in Bergamo, Italy. Getty Images

Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and UC Sampdoria at Stadio Olimpico on September 11, 2016 in Rome, Italy. The footballer this year sported a cleaner-shaven look for some weeks. Getty Images

Strong beard: Mohamed Salah, playing for Liverpool, during the pre-season friendly match between Wigan Athletic and Liverpool at DW Stadium on July 14, 2017 in Wigan, England. Getty Images

Mohamed Salah, with longer curls, during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United at Anfield on August 12, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Getty Images

Mohamed Salah, wearing a sharp tux, attends the Time 100 Gala Red Carpet at Jazz at Lincoln Centre on April 23, 2019 in New York City. Getty Images

Fan of the statement tee, Mohamed Salah after the Uefa Champions League semi-final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. Getty Images

Mohamed Salah during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 11, 2020 in London. Getty Images

Mohamed Salah wears a Liverpool-branded face mask and natural curls prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on July 02, 2020 in Manchester, England. Getty Images

And Mo Salah has been spotted in Dubai this week, seen here at Brunch and Cake in Jumeirah 1, sporting an impeccable beard line, and a 'do that's short on the sides, but has volume up top. Twitter / saraalboom

He's slick on the pitch, but Mohamed Salah has always been sharp in the grooming department, too.

The Egyptian footballer, 28, has become known for his signature curly locks – but his choice of hairstyles has been far from static throughout his career.

Making his international breakthrough in 2012, the year he signed with Swiss Super League club Basel, Salah sported a much shorter 'do with just a smattering of stubble.

By 2014, when he signed with English club Chelsea, the Basyoun-born star had experimented with closely cropped locks and more defined facial hair, before embracing his distinctive curls throughout his current tenure at Liverpool (and he's just recently had yet another haircut which is very slick on the sides).

Here, we take a look back through his style files to explore how Salah's grooming choices have evolved over the years.

Scroll through the gallery above to see more pictures of Salah between 2012 and 2020.