Football fans were astonished after seeing recent photos of a former Chelsea icon, who now looks completely different from his playing days. The buzz started when he appeared in a charity match, leaving many to do a double-take.
Former Chelsea Star Ramires Stuns Fans with Unbelievable Transformation
Over the weekend, a team of Chelsea legends faced off against Liverpool legends in a charity football match held at Anfield. This highly anticipated game featured prominent figures from both clubs. Liverpool’s squad included their celebrated former captain Steven Gerrard, alongside other beloved players such as Sami Hyypia, Dirk Kuyt, Yossi Benayoun, Ryan Babel, and Djibril Cisse.
The match ended in a 2-0 victory for Liverpool, with Peter Crouch stealing the show. He scored both goals and delighted the crowd by bringing back his signature ‘robot’ dance goal celebration.
Chelsea’s legendary team was equally impressive, featuring fan favorites like Gianfranco Zola, Claude Makelele, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, John Obi Mikel, Eidur Gudjohnsen, and Jose Bosingwa. The team was managed by Roberto Di Matteo, a former Chelsea player and manager himself.
Ramires was a key part of Chelsea’s 2012 Champions League win. Image: Getty
Ramires’s Radical Makeover: Fans React to the Chelsea Legend’s New Look
Among the Chelsea lineup was former midfielder Ramires, a crucial player in their historic Champions League victory in 2012 under Di Matteo. Despite missing the final due to suspension, his contributions throughout the campaign were undeniable. During his time at Stamford Bridge, the Brazilian midfielder secured numerous trophies including the Premier League, FA Cup, Europa League, and League Cup. He played a total of 251 games for Chelsea after joining from Benfica in 2010, becoming a firm favourite with supporters.
However, fans were taken aback by Ramires’s remarkably different appearance. Chelsea supporters remember Ramires as a dynamic, energetic midfielder with a shaved head and slim build. This image is starkly contrasted by recent photos circulating online.
The images reveal Ramires sporting a full head of hair, presenting a dramatically altered image that left many fans struggling to recognize him. The transformation sparked widespread discussion and amusement across social media platforms.
Former Chelsea star Ramires looks unrecognisable. Image: Instagram/@rami7oficial
Ramires himself shared photos on Instagram from a Chelsea legends training session at Cobham. His caption read: “Today I had the pleasure of training again at Cobham and reuniting with great friends I made while defending Chelsea. Tomorrow is game day for Chelsea Legends! Come on, Blues!”
The online reactions from fans perfectly captured the widespread surprise:
- One fan on X (formerly Twitter) exclaimed, “Absolutely unrecognisable! Hope someone is not scamming Chelsea.”
- Another jokingly commented, “That’s not Ramires, that’s his brother Ramores.”
- A third wrote in disbelief, “No way that’s the same guy, he’s sent a friend.”
- Finally, another user questioned, “That cannot be the same player ?!?!?!?!?”
Ramires’s departure from Chelsea occurred in January 2016 when he joined Jiangsu Suning in the Chinese Super League for a record £25 million transfer fee, following a trend of Brazilian players moving to China at the time. He made 71 appearances for Jiangsu Suning before being released and ultimately returning to Brazil to conclude his playing career with Palmeiras.
Did you recognize Ramires in his new look? Let us know in the comments below!