In a remarkable throwback photo, a Premier League footballer looks almost unrecognisable without his trademark hair and with braces on his teeth. The picture was taken over a decade ago while the player was enjoying a successful six-season stint with Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine. The footballer is seen wearing an orange football kit, beaming with a smile that reveals his braces, and sporting short curly hair that is vastly different from what English football fans have become accustomed to seeing on him.
The player in question is none other than Willian, who has made over 275 Premier League appearances for three different London clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal, and now Fulham. He has even lifted the trophy twice, in 2015 and 2017. Despite being in his mid-30s now, Willian is still showing that he has plenty to offer on the field.
Since joining Fulham under Marco Silva, Willian has impressed with his performances and scored crucial goals in wins against Leeds, Chelsea, and Nottingham Forest. These goals have taken his tally to 41 goals in the Premier League, along with 40 assists.
Willian enjoyed seven successful years at Stamford Bridge after moving from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala. During his time at Chelsea, he added the FA Cup, League Cup, and Europa League to his Premier League titles. However, he struggled to make an impact at Arsenal after signing a big-money contract and left for Corinthians after just one season, managing only one goal in 37 appearances.
Willian has also represented Brazil at the international level and scored nine goals in 70 appearances for his country. His last appearance for Brazil was in 2019.
Despite his success and accolades, Willian’s most recognisable feature has been his iconic afro hairstyle. However, the throwback photo shows that he has not always had this look and has gone through several transformations throughout his career.
In conclusion, the throwback photo of Willian with braces and short curly hair is a reminder of how much the Premier League star has changed over the years. Despite his changing appearance, Willian’s talent on the field has remained consistent, and he continues to impress fans with his performances for Fulham.