England World Cup squad barber talks trims and trust

Plane tickets? Check. Football boots? Check. The weight of a nation’s hopes on your shoulders? Check.

But there’s another thing no self-respecting footballer heading to the World Cup would be without.

A fresh trim.

That’s where barber Ahmed Alsanawi, also known as A-Star, comes in.

He’s the barber to much of the England squad, in charge of keeping players looking their best before a big game.

His work has made him a social media star, responsible for some of the most-requested looks, including Jack Grealish’s long-on-top, shaved-at-the-sides cut.

Before he jetted out to the USA, Alsanawi spoke to BBC Newsbeat about how he became footballers’ go-to hair stylist, and what it’s like to travel with the team during a World Cup.

Alsanawi says he got his big break working at Chelsea, where he cut players’ hair for three years.

“I met John Terry, Eden Hazard,” he says, adding that posting about his work on social media got the attention of other Premier League stars.

“Then I connected with Pogba, a couple of the City players, Jack Grealish.”

A-Star Barbers grew through word of mouth, boosted online by players sharing their experiences in the chair, and now has 1.3 million Instagram followers.

Social media has been “massive” for the barbering industry, says dad-of-three Alsanawi, whose Instagram is filled with videos of him giving players including England vice-captain Declan Rice fresh trims.

He also names musicians such as rapper Dave among his clients.

But any regulars hoping to get a cut from the man himself at his shop in Chessington, Surrey, might be out of luck for the next six weeks as he attends his fourth World Cup.

If all goes to plan, Alsanawi will be stationed in the England squad’s camp to keep players looking fresh for the next six weeks.

While the logistics of it can be “last-minute”, he says, there are some players he knows he will be trimming, including Chelsea captain Reece James.

“He’s my boy,” says Alsanawi.

“I’ve been cutting him for a few years now and I can’t wait to see him at a major World Cup.”

Alsanawi says he takes relationships with his clients seriously.

When Newsbeat asks for his take on a recent story, where a leaked Chelsea starting line-up was linked to left-back Marc Cucurella’s barber, he’s clear on his own stance.

“It’s sort of in your best interest and in the team’s interest to keep your mouth shut,” he says.

“Like, certain things you’re just not going to share, and I wouldn’t share.

“You’ve got to build a trustworthy relationship with your client, whether it’s a footballer or not.”

Alsanawi says vibes in the England camp are always “really good”, and chilled out, from what he’s seen.

“It’s just a normal thing, play cards, you know.

“They do their individual stuff, treatment, maybe FIFA or whatever.”

Does he ever challenge any of the players?

“I just get in the room, cut their hair, about 15, 16 of them, and go home,” he says.

Speaking of coming home, Alsanawi says he’s backing England to win the World Cup this year.

And he’s got his sights set on a couple of prizes of his own.

“I would love to cut the two GOATs, Ronaldo and Messi,” he says.

“I haven’t had the chance to.

“But you never know, maybe this World Cup.”

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