As the World Cup lumbers into view once more, it becomes easier for civilians to recognise footballers, because they're all on the telly all time. And what we've realised is that the aesthetics of the football pitch (and the bars, beaches and red carpets that lie beyond it) can be divided into two eras: pre-David Beckham and post-David Beckham. The former looked a bit like this:

A sorry sight, you'll agree. From a style point of view, decades of sport boiled down to a few dodgy haircuts, from Kevin Keegan's perm to Paul Gascoigne's bouffant, and that was as experimental as it got. 

But one man changed all that: David Beckham. Below, we look at his early days as a fashion renegade, but also at the brave sportsmen who have followed in his footsteps. These off-pitch protégés, from Cristiano Ronaldo to Carlos Tevez, have picked up where he left off. To this day, they're experimenting with surprising style choices, bad fake tans and crocheted hairbands, with a decidedly Beckhamsian flair.

But let's go back to the beginning – to Beckham's most astonishing fashion experiments. These were the moments when football really became a beautiful game. Behold, the early years.

1997: Beckham meets his future wife, and starts bleaching his hair.

To our knowledge, Beckham is the only footballer to embark on a his 'n' hers haircut experiment with his girlfriend. It's sweet how Victoria is trying to distract from this faux pas by standing in front of him and popping out her bra.

1998: Yes it's a sarong. What of it?

Beckham takes a lot of flak for wearing a sarong over his trousers. But it's a bold step away from the laddish fashion being sported by his contemporaries, so bravo for being a risk-taker. (As a side note, Victoria's outfit here shows a hint of what's to come in later years. Quite chic.)

2000: Then, The Matrix comes out.

...and somebody in this picture thinks Laurence Fishburne's character is very cool.

2001: Misunderstood genius.

Beckham is ridiculed across the country for getting a Hoxton-Fin-cum-Mohawk, but it really isn't that outlandish (that guy from Travis had one first), and he looks hot. Sometimes the greatest thinkers aren't appreciated in their own time.

2003: On the other hand...

...I think we can all agree that the cornrows are an error.

At this point, younger footballers start to catch on. If Beckham, one of the country's most loved sportsmen, can present himself in a way that wouldn't be acceptable at your local working men's club – why can't they?

2004: Who's this new guy?

It's Cristiano Ronaldo arriving on the scene – and if there's one thing he's learnt from watching Beckham, it's that footballers can make outlandish style choices too. Hence that terrible, terrible jacket.

Still 2004: Beckham reasserts his dominance by going to a party dressed as a lion.

2005: Suddenly everyone wants a piece of the fashion action.

French footballer Djibril Cissé isn't playing around. This Sisqo-inspired look means business.

2008: Unthreatened, Ronaldo continues to evolve his style.

He now has his own boutique in Portugal, and creates a tabloid 'fashion moment' when he steps out with a Gucci clutch bag. TMZ term it 'a murse'.

2009: Hey!

Carlos Tevez wants you to know that he has a collection of extravagant hairbands – including this crochet number. Way to shake up the competition, Carlos.

2013: But observe, a master at work.

Experimental days behind him, Beckham has now earned the right to just put on a suit and look gorgeous.

Happily, he's passed on everything he once knew about hair dye.

Although there's really no excuse for frosted tips.