Messi dyed hair blond 'to start from zero'

Lionel Messi didn't go blond because it's trendy, but because he wanted a fresh start.

Earlier this summer, the Argentina star emerged from a heartbreaking loss in the Copa America final with a new haircut. He was also found guilty of tax fraud, along with his father Jorge, and after such a turbulent few months, he said he wanted to make a cosmetic change to rinse himself of the past.

"I introduced this change to start from zero," he revealed in an interview with Argentinian TV, according to ESPN FC's Adriana Garcia. "There had been a lot of issues that had taken place and I told myself I need to break away from this and start over."

Several other players went blond over the past year, setting a trend that many people thought Messi had adopted. The likes of Samir Nasri, Marouane Fellaini, and James Rodriguez all wore the shade with varying degrees of success.

Messi's entitled to feel like he's begun anew. He reversed his decision to retire from international duty last month, and scored upon his return to the Albiceleste last week. He's also back on the score sheet for Barcelona, having scored twice in the La Liga opener against Real Betis.

But the 29-year-old aggravated a groin injury in the World Cup qualifier against Uruguay, and could miss Barcelona's first Champions League encounter next week.