Three things we learned from Xherdan Shaqiri’s interview

The Original Ronaldo was an early fashion icon

Out of all the style icons from the early 90s, you’d never have picked the Brazilian, Original Ronaldo as one.

That horrendous triangle of hair peeking out from a bald dome might have spawned 1000 copycats, but those copycats were doing it for reasons other than aesthetic ones.

"“I did his haircut too – in 2002, the triangle – I did it, too,” said Shaqiri. “I loved him and I still love him. He is my big idol. I wish I could meet him.”"

Shaq doesn’t play like the Brazilian legend, but then again who does? But it makes sense that a youngster growing up in that time, who had ambitions to make it as a professional as a forward, would look to the best player in the world for inspiration.

At 17, Ronaldo was picked for the 1997 World Cup and won the thing in 2002 where he was the Golden Boot with eight goals in seven games. He was a whirlwind of a talent who scored 53 goals in 55 games for PSV Eindhoven, 47 in 49 for Barcelona, 104 in 177 for Real Madrid and 59 in 98 for Inter Milan.

Shaqiri was never going to match those numbers but has had his own successful career – and at the age of 28 he’s got plenty more fuel in the tank. Let’s just hope he doesn’t bring that triangle haircut back or he won’t be let out around Merseyside for fear of having it shaved off when he wasn’t looking.