Meet Ahmed Alsanawi: A Star Barbers owner & stylist to Premier League footballers Grealish, Foden, Solanke & James
AHMED Alsanawi is the founder and owner of A Star Barbers, a high-profile barbershop in Chessington, Surrey.
It has become the go-to destination for many professional footballers in need of a new style — here’s everything you need to know.
Who is Ahmed Alsanawi?
Nicknamed ‘A-Star’, Ahmed Alsanawi’s journey from a self-taught barber to a stylist for football’s elite is a remarkable story of talent, hard work and relationship-building.
His journey into the world of barbering began with a passion for hairstyling and an entrepreneurial spirit after emigrating the the UK from Iraq in the 2000s.
Alongside his wife Tanya, he opened A Star Barbers with the goal of creating a welcoming space where clients could receive quality haircuts and grooming services.
Since its establishment in 2013, it has gained a reputation for providing top-notch grooming services.
The barbershop quickly became known for its skilled stylists and exceptional service, making it a favourite among local residents and professional athletes alike.
It has attracted high-profile clientele — including some of the biggest names in football.
A Hub for footballers
A Star Barbers has established itself as a go-to destination for footballers, particularly those associated with Chelsea due to its proximity to the club’s Cobham Training Centre.
Alsanawi cut so many Blues players hair that he earned the nickname “Chelsea’s official barber”.
The shop’s reputation has grown significantly over the years, thanks to Alsanawi’s talent and ability to connect with his clients.
Many players trust him not just for haircuts — but also for styling advice.
High-profile clients
Jack Grealish
Jack Grealish was filmed getting his hair styled at the hairdressers in October 2024.
A TikTok clip shared by A Star Barbers shows the star having dye applied, before blonde highlights are unveiled and his hair is blow-dried.
Grealish has been a regular client, with Alsanawi regularly maintaining his signature style.
In May 2022, he also visited for a trim before Manchester City’s Premier League title celebrations.
The playmaker also visited in February of the same year, subsequently sharing a video of the barber shaving his hair, showcasing their close relationship.
Romeo Beckham
In October 2022, David Beckham’s son Romeo visited A Star Barbers for a haircut.
A clip of the Inter Miami forward was posted on social media after he had his trim completed.
The barbers’ Instagram account added the caption: “Nice to meet you bro @romeobeckham.”
Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba is a long-time client of Alsanawi.
The Juventus man stopped by in September 2022 for a new look shocked his former Man U teammate Jesse Lingard.
Pogba shared a clip of his haircut on Instagram alongside the caption: “No limit for the new look yeassirr! .”
After A-Star was finished, Pogba jokingly put him in a headlock and gave him a noogie — the barber didn’t look too pleased.
Lingard replied in the comments to poke fun at the ex-United star, joking that Pogba was a bully.
He said: “Shock A-Star getting bullied again! Fresh trip PP.”
In June 2022, Alsanawi gave Pogba a haircut just before his transfer from Manchester United to Juventus, hinting at the move on social media.
He also visited the shop in May 2022 for a fresh cut, and there have been reports of Pogba being a client since 2017.
The midfielder has even been known to fly Alsanawi to various locations for trims, including to the French national team’s training camp before the 2018 World Cup.
Eden Hazard
In November 2022, Alsanawi posted a video of himself flying to Madrid to give Hazard a haircut.
This wasn’t the first time Alsanawi had travelled for Hazard.
In April 2021, during the coronavirus pandemic, he flew to Spain to cut Hazard’s hair.
This move unsurprisingly caused some controversy due to travel restrictions.
Other notable clients
Other superstars of the footballing world to visit A Star barbers include:
- Phil Foden – during World Cup 2022 in Qatar
- Jude Bellingham – during World Cup 2022 in Qatar
- John Terry – May 2018
- David Luiz – October 2017
- Pedro – October 2017
- Gary Cahill – November 2017
- Benjamin Mendy – November 2017
- Dominic Solanke – November 2017
- Cesc Fabregas – regular customer during his time at Chelsea (2014-19)
- Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 2014
Expansion of A Star Barbers
As A Star Barbers gained popularity among professional athletes, Alsanawi decided to expand his business.
He opened additional locations while maintaining the same level of quality service that made the original shop successful.
The brand now includes multiple outlets catering to a wider clientele while still being closely connected to the world of professional football.
Innovative product range
In addition to providing exceptional grooming services, Alsanawi launched a line of haircare products called Fini by A-Star”in May 2018.
These products are designed specifically for men and feature unique formulations.
This expansion into product development showcases Alsanawi’s commitment to enhancing men’s grooming experiences beyond just haircuts.
Social media presence
Alsanawi’s work extends beyond the barbershop — he has cultivated a significant social media, where he shares photos of his work and interactions with high-profile clients.
His Instagram account often features images of footballers sporting fresh cuts, giving fans an inside look at their favourite players’ grooming routines.
As of October 11, 2024, Alsanawi’s account @astarbarbers has over a million followers.
Chelsea ban
In 2017, there were reports that Chelsea had banned Alsanawi from their training ground due to his frequent posting of selfies with players on social media.
However, this setback didn’t deter Alsanawi, who continued to build his brand and clientele beyond Chelsea.
One of Alsanawi’s proudest achievements was working with the French national team at the 2018 World Cup finals and receiving a shout-out from the players after their victory.
He also served as the England team’s on-hand barber in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.
The future
Alsanawi hopes to expand the brand globally, with a chain of A Star Barbers located all around the world.
He continues to work on growing his product line and maintaining his status as one of the most sought-after barbers in the world of sport.