This is bigger than the time Wayne Rooney had hair plugs installed and revealed his new 'do to the world.
You see, Rooney has never been known solely for his hair - or lack thereof - nor his previously extremely receding hairline.
The same can't be said, however, for Rooney's Manchester United teammate Marouane Fellaini.
The Belgian midfielder is a fine footballer, of course he is, but the massive black afro that used to reside atop his head — yes, we said, "used to" — was easily the most important part of his game — and thus, his transfer value.
Without it, he would basically look like this. And if you clicked that link, you know that's neither a good look for anyone, nor the look of a top footballer.
While the reality of what appears to be a fresh, new haircut for Fellaini might not be quite as bad as the above link, he's certainly already not the player he used to be.
Man United will feel like they've been duped, having signed Fellaini to a five-year contract last summer, but received only one service year of Fellaini's best attribute: his afro.
Not many would argue Fellaini's afro was the best in world soccer. With the above photographic evidence, to whom does that title now pass?
Fellaini's Belgium teammate Axel Witsel? Chelsea's Brazilian playmaker Willian? Tottenham's lover of life Benoit Assou-Ekotto? Paris Saint-Germain's enthusiastic Brazilian stopper David Luiz?
How about MLS and American soccer's best? Kevin Alston? Chris Klute? Timbers legend and former US U-23 national team coach Clive Charles?
