Xherdan Shaqiri Hair Transplant: Before, After, and His New Hairline

Xherdan Shaqiri is a Swiss international football star best known for his stints at Bayern Munich, Stoke City, and Liverpool. 

Observers also noticed an apparent transformation in his hairline. Similar to other celebrities (e.g. Rob Holding, Ben Stokes, Jimmy Carr, Elon Musk), Shaqiri seemed to pursue a hair transplant to counter receding corners or thinning spots.
Shaqiri has never openly confirmed any procedure. He took a break in late 2019 due to a calf injury. 

When he returned, fans remarked on a notably fuller hairline, and rumours naturally followed. However, there’s no direct quote from him, so we only have photographic evidence that suggests he underwent a quiet hair restoration.

The shift appears to have occurred during his injury hiatus. Around that time, images show that his temple region looked denser than before. 

Many professional athletes use their hiatus period strategically for surgeries or treatments that need recovery when sidelined, including hair transplants. In fact, the physical and psychological stress of elite competition can aggravate male pattern baldness, particularly in individuals with high DHT sensitivity. This makes periods of rest ideal for addressing both recovery and restoration.

Xherdan Shaqiri Hair: Before and After Observations

Before photos clearly show a temple recession, which forms an “M” shaped hairline sometimes seen in men in their late 20s. 

After his return to training, the corners look filled in, which gives a fresher appearance. This improvement usually goes beyond what topical agents can do in just a few months, which strengthens the belief that a Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) hair transplant may have been performed.

Why a Hair Transplant May Have Been the Right Choice for Shaqiri

A receding hairline can be noticeable in match photographs or interviews for a footballer under constant media scrutiny. 

Therefore, the decision to address it permanently can restore confidence and help maintain a consistent public image.

If Shaqiri’s transformation is indeed surgical, he joins the ranks of sports icons such as Wayne Rooney, who publicly admitted to having a transplant.

How Many Grafts Might Shaqiri Have Needed?

Depending on the extent of the loss, temple and frontal hairline restoration can require up to a maximum of 2200 grafts per session of surgery, with each graft consisting of 1-4 follicles on average.
Single hairs are placed at the frontal of the hairline to create a softer, more natural appearance, which is an essential aspect of creating an aesthetically pleasing hairline.

Looking at Shaqiri’s hairline in 2019, he appears to have a 3 of 7 level of hair loss using the Norwood Scale, with moderate recession in his temples.

To restore this temple recession, our award-winning surgeons estimate he could have had approximately 1500-2000 grafts  to restore density, thickness, and ease of styling to the areas. 

If you’re wondering how many grafts might be needed for different areas of the scalp, it’s important to remember that factors like hair type, the extent of loss, and individual goals all play a role. To help you get a better idea based on your unique situation, our Graft Calculator tool can be a useful starting point.

A modern footballer’s preference would likely be an unshaven FUE due to minimal downtime and discreet scarring. This technique is especially popular among celebrities and public figures, and at The Treatment Rooms London, we specialise in this type of procedure. FUE leaves tiny dot-like scars in the donor area and are usually unnoticeable once the hair grows out again. 

On the other hand, FUT (strip surgery) could yield more grafts in one session. However, the linear scar is a drawback for someone regularly sporting short hair in training. In Shaqiri’s case, given the moderate level of temple recession, he likely wouldn’t have needed the larger graft yield offered by FUT to achieve his desired result anyway. You may find our blog on FUE vs FUT insightful if you’d like to learn more about the differences between the two procedures.

Where Did Xherdan Shaqiri Get His Hair Transplant?

There’s no confirmed information about the clinic or location. However, the consistent and natural results point to a surgeon-led approach. 

The procedure involves the placement of follicles at the correct angle, especially along the temples, where the hairline naturally changes direction. That’s why it’s important to be in the hands of a professional with experience in this type of restorative work. This is where choosing the right clinic – one with a surgeon-led approach – makes all the difference. Crucial steps like extraction and implantation require skill, careful planning, and surgical precision to achieve the best possible results.

Ready to Learn More About Hair Transplants?

Although Shaqiri remains silent on the subject – unlike Elton John, who was very open about his hair transplant journey – the timing and visible outcome strongly suggest he underwent a FUE transplant. The approach aligns well with a top athlete’s lifestyle: minimal disruption, quick healing, and a confidence boost. 

Contact our professional hair transplant clinic to discover how a fuller hairline could boost your confidence. Our team is here to guide you from consultation to aftercare, which ensures that you, too, can look and feel your best (just like Xheerdan Shaqiri).

Xherdan Shaqiri’s Hair Transplant FAQ

Did Xherdan Shaqiri confirm his hair transplant publicly?

No, he has not (unlike some other players).

When did Xherdan Shaqiri likely have his hair transplant?

While not confirmed, photographic evidence suggests he underwent a hair transplant during his recovery from a calf injury in 2019, when he was 27 years old. The noticeable change in his hairline appeared shortly after that period of downtime.

Could Shaqiri’s hair regrowth be due to medication alone?

It’s unlikely. While medications like minoxidil and finasteride can help slow or stabilise hair loss, the rapid and dense improvement seen in Shaqiri’s hairline suggests a surgical hair transplant, and most likely FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction). That said, these medications are often recommended after a transplant to help maintain results and prevent further hair loss in surrounding areas.

Interested in More Celebrity Hair Transplant Journeys?

If you found Shaqiri’s case interesting, you might also enjoy reading about other well-known figures who’ve undergone hair restoration procedures:

• Cesc Fàbregas Hair Transplant: Before, After and His New Hairline
• Steven Whittaker’s Hair Transplant – Before And After
• Harry Kane Hair and Hairline
• Mo Salah’s Hair Transplant: Before, After, and His New Hairline