For many fashion-conscious footballers appearance is everything and a fresh haircut or new style is just as important to them as the boots on their feet or the shirt on their chest.

Turn on the television ahead of any match and you will be hard pressed not to find a player who isn't sporting a skin fade, a perfectly formed Mohawk, razor sharp pattern or the man bun which has rocketed into the mainstreams popularity during recent years.

One famous face, or in this case head, to sport that particular style is Real Madrid star Gareth Bale, who - unless these pictures are deceiving our eyes - won't be holding onto those locks for much longer.

Gareth Bale's thinning hair was first spotted by eagle-eyed observers back in his first season with Real Madrid

Bale's baldness was again on display during a game for Real Madrid against Real Sociedad last season

Despite shining for Wales in their run to the Euro 2016 semi-final his lack of hair was again the talking point

Wales reached the Euro 2016 semi-finals much in part to the excellent performance of their talisman

Despite his excellent form for Wales this summer - in which his three goals helped the Dragons into the semi-final, much of the focus has revolved around whether or not he is going bald.

Recent images have emerged showing the midfield maestro's gradual hair loss, which has been doing the rounds by eagled-eyed viewers on social media, keen to point out the unfortunate, but common matter that affects a number of men the world over.

As with most sporting figures in the public eye, a camera is never far away and with live coverage now shown in high definition, Bale's thinning pate was never likely to go unnoticed.

As a youngster at both Southampton and Tottenham, the Welshman had a full head of unruly hair

During his spell with Southampton then in the Premier League with Tottenham, the winger donned a thick mane of unruly hair, which coincidentally began to take shape, just as he was slowly emerging as one of the world's best players.

His first season at the Bernabeu saw Bale maintain the slick side parting, complete with a variation of lines and designs and with perennial poser Cristiano Ronaldo alongside him, it did not take long for him to branch out into a different style.

Tempting fate with the much maligned 'Alice band' Bale grew out his hair, which eventually became long enough to be transferred into the top knot/samurai trend he has helped to make so popular.

Alongside Cristiano Ronaldo (left) Bale made sure his hair was always immaculate with this cropped style

Not only is Bale loosing his hair at the back of his head, but there is also significant receding to the hairline, possibly as a result of the constant tension and pulling to keep it tied up.