They are calling him the David Beckham of South Africa. At over six feet tall and completely bald, Matthew Booth cuts a striking figure on the pitch. Not only is the star set to become one of the biggest heroes of the world cup, but some are speculating that he could also be an inspiration for men who have lost their hair and feel insecure about it.

After all, here is a man who seems to have it all: a successful sporting career, a supermodel wife, and legions of adoring fans. Booth is also seen as a role-model for young people, and, as the only white player in the South African squad, as a spokesperson for race relations in the country.

One in two men goes bald, mostly due to the genetic condition known as male pattern baldness. Yet despite being in such good company, men often go through feelings of inadequacy when they lose their hair. Seeing a star like Booth, who wears his baldness proudly with no attempt to cover up, could be a great encouragement to some of these men.

Plenty of other bald football legends have been admired in the history of the game. Frenchman Zinadine Zidane, Brazilian Roberto Carlos and England’s own Sir Bobby Charlton are all good examples. Of course if we are talking about baldness, who could forget Italian referee Pierluigi Collina, who has been part of many important games and was once voted the greatest referee in the world.