Alejandro Garnacho has faced a fresh wave of criticism after debuting a new hairstyle featuring dreadlocks, with fans on social media branding the look 'diabolical' and accusing him of cultural appropriation.
Garnacho's New Look Sparks Backlash
The 21-year-old Chelsea winger, who joined the Blues from Manchester United for £40 million last summer, showcased his new dreads in a TikTok video before other images appeared online. The reaction was swift and largely negative.
One fan commented: 'You may even be tempted to think it's AI, this brother.' Another wrote: 'Someone please tell me this is AI WTF is this Garnacho.' A third added: 'Is that really Garnacho with braids? I thought it was AI.'
Cultural Appropriation Accusations
Several fans accused Garnacho of cultural appropriation. One said: 'Does Garnacho know this is Cultural Appropriation?' Another echoed: 'Talk about cultural appropriation… This ain’t it Garnacho.' Styles such as dreadlocks, cornrows, and box braids have deep roots in African cultures, often symbolizing identity, status, or historical survival.
Garnacho has struggled to win over fans since his controversial exit from Manchester United, where he fell out with former manager Ruben Amorim after being left out of the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham. He also wore an Aston Villa shirt with Marcus Rashford's name on the back, further angering United supporters.
Previous Controversies
Earlier this month, Garnacho was mocked for a large back tattoo of Heath Ledger's Joker from The Dark Knight. The tattoo, inked by renowned artist Joaquin Ganga, drew jokes from fans. One said: 'So this is what he’s using his free time to do. No wonder he isn’t improving.' Another quipped: 'Has more tattoos than his total xG for the whole season.' A third added: 'Summed himself up, a joker!'
Garnacho's form has not earned him a call-up to the Argentina World Cup squad, and rumors suggest he could leave Chelsea if the opportunity arises.
