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His ability to play for Tottenham after excusing himself from the Team GB Olympic side through injury has caused a stir - and led to suggestions of a ban from Sepp Blatter .

But we're almost as interested in the new look sported by Gareth Bale as he lined up against LA Galaxy on Tuesday night.

It could be an illusion created by camera angles, but Gareth's famous sticky-out ears - the ones which have seen him compared to cartoon characters Jimmy Neutron, Sid from Toy Story and Plug from The Bash Street Kids - appear to have disappeared.

(Image: SPORTPHOTO/GETTY)

And Bale's hair, usually grown long in a possible attempt to cover up his resemblance to the FA Cup, is now short for what seems like the first time ever.

A quick pin-back job to his Britneys? Creative use of Sellotape? Or was he just running very fast into a strong headwind?

What do you think?