Lionel Messi has had a really rough summer. And he's coping with it by bleaching his hair, apparently.
That's a real picture. His wife Antonella posted it on her Instagram and no matter how long you stare at it, his hair is not going to change. It really is platinum blonde.
Messi's summer started with Cristiiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid winning the Champions League. Then Messi hurt his back. Then he lost in a final with Argentina again, this time going down on penalty kicks with Copa America Centenario on the line. He followed that up by retiring from international soccer and watching Ronaldo finally break through as Messi's rival won the Euros for Portugal. Weeks later Messi was found guilty of tax fraud.
That was all just this summer!
So if you're going to make jokes about Messi's hair, just remember what he's gone through in the last two months and let him have his terrible hair in peace*.
* That's not true. Always get your jokes off.
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