Dubai: A Syrian barber has described the incredible encounter he had with football great Cristiano Ronaldo, describing how an enigmatic appointment for a haircut evolved into a memorable meeting with the legendary Portuguese player.
Rabie Al Hussein claimed that until he went inside a hotel room in Sweden where the Portuguese national team was staying, he had no idea who his famous client was.
Al Hussein stated in a TV interview that the encounter started when a man came to his barbershop, had coffee with him, and said he might set up a time to cut a football player’s hair.
Around 2 and 8 p.m., the man phoned him and told him to bring his passport or identity card for security clearance. The identity of the player was kept under wraps.
Al Hussein was instructed to show up at the hotel at 9:15 p.m. Security guards guided him to the second level while he carried his equipment and identity documents.
However, nothing had prepared him for the subsequent events. “When the door opened, I saw Cristiano Ronaldo sitting there,” Al Hussein said, recalling how he was unable to respond and froze in shock.
كشف الحلاق السوري ربيع الحسين عن مفاجأة بشأن حلاقة النجم كريستيانو رونالدو، قائلا “لم أتقاض أي مبلغ، ولم يسألني أحد حتى عن المقابل الذي أريده. بصراحة، لا أعتقد أن لهذه الحلاقة سعرا!” وأضاف: “كان شرفا كبيرا لي أن أحظى بفرصة حلاقة رونالدو، فأنا من مشجعيه وأتابعه منذ سنوات طويلة”. https://t.co/p8ckE6Pi1p
— RT Online (@RTonline_ar) October 14, 2026
Ronaldo reached him, embraced him, and shook his hand, pointing out his nervousness. As per Al Hussein, the iconic player stated, “Hello, my friend. How are you?”
Ronald’s friendly manner and humility quickly put him at ease, according to the barber. Ronaldo, at the initial stage, asked for a high fade, but Diogo Dalot, his Portuguese teammate, advised a medium fade rather. Ronaldo had an agreement on it.
Al Hussein also remembered that Ronaldo smiled in response to his request for a picture before beginning the haircut.
“Not now, my friend. After the haircut. If you like the result, we’ll take a picture together,” he cited Ronaldo as stating.
When Ronaldo asked the barber where he was from, it was one of the most unforgettable moments.
The Portuguese celebrity made a comment that stuck with Al Hussein when he replied that he was Syrian.
According to the barber, Ronaldo added, “Oh, Syria! Then I can trust you!”
More than the surprise of meeting one of football’s best stars, Ronaldo’s friendliness and humility stood out, according to Al Hussein, who called the encounter an amazing experience.