Former players seem to be finding more and more ways now to continue their association with their beloved clubs. Some such as Raul Gonzales continue on as youth team coaches (at Real Madrid), while others such as Edwin van der Sar take up administrative roles (at Ajax).
Apart from such direct connections, former players have also been included in various events and promotions by clubs lately. During Real Madrid’s new kit launch on Monday, Roberto Carlos, Raul and Iker Casillas all took part in the photoshoots and modelled the new home kit for the 2022/23 season.
Perhaps in a similar attempt, Chelsea compiled and posted on Instagram a montage of their ex-players motivating the current side ahead of their FA Cup final against Liverpool on Saturday.
The footage featured players such as Willian, Cesc Fabregas, Michael Essien, Rob Green and Ramires, all of whom have won major honours with the club during their time in London.
While Chelsea fans would have been delighted with the initiative and to see a few familiar faces once again, they were also equally surprised with the appearance of some of them, especially Ramires who looked unrecognizable with the trim and the facial hair.
The Brazilian international who won the Premier League title with Jose Mourinho’s 2014/15 side sported a close-cropped look with no facial hair during his six-year stay at Stamford Bridge.
However, on the FA Cup video, Ramires was seen in a skin fade clubbed with a moustache and a goatee, nothing like his former look. Fans on Twitter were astounded to see the drastic change and now believe that the ex-Chelsea midfielder looks more like Vinicius Jr and Patrice Evra than himself due to the new look.
While fans have been surprised with his look, the majority have been in favour of his new look as Ramires’ comment on the Chelsea Instagram post was flooded with compliments from fans.
The Brazilian wished the team luck in the final and also hoped that the Blues would repeat the success of his 2011/12 side that lifted the trophy.
Although he would have been disappointed with the loss on Saturday in retrospect, Ramires has certainly turned a lot of heads with his appearance and would be delighted with the response he got from supporters of his former club.
