Here at the Area 51 Sports Network, we are celebrating Movember by taking a look at the best mustaches in sports. Soccer or as it is most commonly known, football is no exception to great mustaches. While mustaches aren’t as common in soccer these days, many players and managers rocked them in the past.
It was hard to narrow it all down to five but here are five of the best mustaches the beautiful game has ever seen.
#5: Luis Felipe Scolari
Luis Felipe Scolari has been around the game for many years, both as a player and as a manager.
Scolari’s playing career began in 1966 with Brazilian club Clube Esportivo Aimoré. As a defender, he played his entire career in Brazil from 1966 to 1981 with Aimoré, Caxias, Juventude, Novo Hamburgo and CSA.
But Scolari gained more success as a manager and is considered one of the greatest managers of all time. The Brazilian managed clubs in many different parts of the world including Brazil, (including CSA, Grêmio and Palmeiras) England, (Chelsea) Japan, (Júbilo Iwata) Uzbekistan (Bunyodkor) and China. (Guangzhou Evergrande)
Scolari has also managed the Brazilian National Team. He led them to World Cup glory in 2002 during his first stint and managed them for another stint from 2012 to 2014. That included a fourth-place finish in the 2014 World Cup, which was held in Brazil. Scolari has also managed the national teams of Kuwait (for six months in 1990) and Portugal. He led Portugal to the Euro 2004 final which they were hosting but shockingly lost to Greece.
Scolari has won 817 matches as a manager and has won many team and individual awards, but one thing stayed consistent throughout his career: his mustache. For many years, he rocked a bushy stache and that was noticeable when he stood on the touchline or spoke to the media. It was a distinct part of his image, both as a player and manager.
Unfortunately, Scolari has gotten rid of the stache in recent years. He last managed Atlético Mineiro in Brazil. Scolari left them last March by mutual consent after nine months in charge.
#4: Sacha Kljestan
Sacha Kljestan is another player who has rocked a mustache for many years.
The midfielder enjoyed a successful career which began with now-defunct Chivas USA in 2006. That year he was the MLS Rookie of The Year. After four years in Southern California, Kljestan joined Belgian giants Anderlecht in 2010. Kljestan gained the most silverware of his career in Belgium as he helped Anderlecht win the Belgian Pro League three years in a row (2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14.) and the Belgian Super Cup four times. (2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014)
In 2015, Kljestan returned to the US and signed for the New York Red Bulls. He helped them win the Supporters Shield that same year. He also was named to the MLS All-Star in 2016 (his second as he was an All-Star with Chivas USA in 2008) and led MLS in assists in 2016 and 2017.
Kljestan then spent 2018 and 2019 with Orlando City SC. After leaving Orlando, he returned to the Los Angeles area and spent 2020, 2021 and 2022 with the LA Galaxy before announcing his retirement in early 2023. He started his career in Carson and ended it there, full circle.
Kljestan rocked a stache that only got better as the years went on. It was a huge hit with the fans, media and his teammates. Unfortunately, not everyone liked Kljestan’s mustache. During a UEFA Champions League group stage match between Kljestan’s Anderlecht and Paris St-Germain in 2013, Zlatan Ibrahimovic called Kljestan’s stache “really terrible.” Kljestan responded to the PSG star by saying: “You should think about your nose.” What a burn.
These days, Kljestan is an analyst for Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass. And yes, he still rocks that glorious mustache.
#3: Tony Waiters
Area 51 Sports Network covers local soccer teams, particularly the Vancouver Whitecaps. So, it is only right that we include a key figure in their 50-year history on the Movember list.
Tony Waiters was born in Stockport, England but made his mark in Vancouver and Canada. After a 15-year playing career as a goalkeeper with Bishop Auckland, Maccleslesfeld Town, Blackpool and Burnley, Waiters began his coaching career with Plymouth Argyle in 1972.
In 1977, Waiters and his family left England for Vancouver. It was originally planned to be a “working holiday” but it turned out to be a permanent stay.
Waiters coached the NASL Whitecaps from 1977 to 1979 and led them to the 1979 Soccer Bowl. He then coached the Canadian men’s national team from 1981 to 1986. Waiters helped Canada qualify for the 1986 World Cup. He also had a second stint coaching Canada in 1991.
After retiring from coaching, Waiters was still involved in the game by getting involved with grassroots soccer. He has also written several books about coaching soccer. Sadly, Waiters passed away in his North Vancouver home in November 2020 at the age of 83 due to complications with pneumonia.
Waiters sported a very neat mustache and it made him very recognizable. He and his stache became icons in Vancouver sports.
#2: Graeme Souness
Graeme Souness is a legend in Scottish football.
The man born in Edinburgh was a midfielder and was known for his fiery attitude and bone-crunching tackles.
Souness’ playing career began with Tottenham Hotspur in 1970 but only one appearance. In 1972, the Scotsman played 10 games with the NASL’s Montreal Olympique while on loan from Tottenham. He then spent the next six years at Middlesbrough but his playing career shone with Liverpool.
During his seven seasons with the Reds, Souness was a pivotal part of those great teams and was eventually their captain. He helped them win the Football League First Division five times, (The top flight league in England before the Premier League was formed) the English League Cup four times and the European Cup (the old name of the UEFA Champions League) three times. After leaving Liverpool, he played for Samprodia and Rangers. Souness also made 54 appearances with the Scottish national team
It was at Rangers where Souness began his foray into management. He was player-manager from 1986 to 1991 and led them to two Scottish Division titles and three Scottish League Cups. After retiring as a player in 1991, Souness returned to Liverpool to become their manager.
His only trophy as Liverpool manager was the FA Cup in 1992. Souness helped players such as Steve McManaman, Robbie Fowler and Jamie Redknapp break into the first team and develop into key players. But Souness’ time as Liverpool manager wasn’t as glorious as his time as a player. Liverpool underachieved in his three seasons there and he often fell out with players and staff. After resigning from Liverpool in January of 1994, Souness managed Galatasaray, Southampton, Torino, Benfica, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United.
Souness’ distinct mustache was a huge part of his image as a player and manager. It became a symbol of his fiery attitude.
These days, Souness has since gotten rid of the mustache and is a pundit on Sky Sports. He isn’t afraid to give out very strong opinions.
#1:Ruud Gullit
Ruus Gullit was a versatile player. He could play as a striker, attacking midfielder, anywhere in the midfield, either wing or as a defender.
Gullit is seen as one of the best Dutch players of all time. After beginning his career with HFC Haarlem, he won one Eredivisie title with Feyenoord and two more with PSV. In 185, Gullit moved to AC Milan.
It was at the San Siro where he truly shone. He joined AC Milan for 18 million guilders, which was a world record fee at the time. With Marco van Basten and Frank Rijkaard, Gullit was part of the Dutch trio at AC Milan. He leads them to three Serie A titles, two Coppa D’Italias and two European Cups. After leaving AC Milan in 1994, Gullit joined Sampdoria and then Chelsea. At Chelsea, he became player-manager starting in 1996 and kickstarted his coaching career. Gullit was also captain of the Dutch national team and led them to winning the 1988 Euros.
Gullit rocked a very cool mustache during the height of his career. He was number one on our list for a reason. Why? He won the Ballon d’Or. In 1987, not only did he have a glorious mustache, he was the best player in the world. A world class mustache for a world class player.
Make sure to check out all the other Movember articles! Next up is the NHL!
