Did Adrian Mutu have a hair transplant? Yes, and he joked about it himself

What did Adrian Mutu say about his hair transplant?

Mutu talked about it on the “Fanatik Superliga” show in March 2024, while he was head coach of CFR Cluj. Gazeta Sporturilor quoted him: “Your hair starts to leave you, and other things too. It doesn't work any more. Time forgives no one. I put in a bit of hair, on the sides. Haven't you seen in interviews how it shows when the light hits? It's as if I had Robert Niță and Messi on the wings. Time has passed. It isn't painful. I slept. It takes a few hours. It's painstaking work. It isn't all that easy.”

In August 2024, five months after the procedure, he posted a photo collage showing the progress. A1.ro reported that he said he was very happy with how things were going.

That is all we rely on here. Mutu did not give the technique or the number of grafts in those statements, so this article does not guess at them. Where the text below explains methods and timelines, it describes hair transplantation in general, not his treatment.

Why his answer caught people's attention

Men in football rarely talk about cosmetic procedures, and many still see hair loss as something to hide. Mutu did the opposite: he named the reason plainly — time — and turned the thinning at his temples into a football joke about two wingers. That kind of relaxed openness helps other men treat hair loss as an ordinary medical question rather than a source of embarrassment.

His words also contain two realistic details. He said the procedure was not painful, and at the same time that it takes hours and is painstaking work. Both are true of hair transplantation in general: it is done under local anaesthesia, but moving thousands of follicles one by one takes time and precision.

How a hair transplant works today

A modern hair transplant is an outpatient operation under local anaesthesia; the patient goes home the same day. Hair follicles are taken from the donor area, usually the back of the head and the temples, and implanted where hair is missing — for example on the sides and at the temples, the area Mutu mentioned. The main techniques are:

• FUE — grafts are extracted one by one through tiny punctures and placed into channels made in advance. No incisions and no stitches.
• DHI — grafts are implanted with a special pen (Choi implanter) without pre-made channels, which gives fine control over angle and direction.
• Combined DHI+FUE — FUE extraction with DHI implantation.

Which option fits depends on the extent of hair loss and on the donor area, which is why the choice is made at a consultation, not from a celebrity story.

Who is a good candidate

A transplant works best when the donor area at the back of the head is dense enough to give grafts. Typical reasons people consider it:

• receding temples and hairline, or a high hairline;
• androgenetic or diffuse thinning and low density;
• focal (patchy) hair loss, hair loss after trauma or burns, or after illness or hormonal disorders.

There are also contraindications, including age under 18, trichotillomania, body dysmorphic disorder, cancer, severe heart disease, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a pacemaker and intolerance to anaesthetics. The surgeon checks these before a date is booked.

What results look like over time

Mutu shared his progress at five months, and that is roughly the stage when new growth becomes visible. For patients in general, the transplanted hairs shed in weeks 2–4 — that is normal, the follicles stay in place — growth starts after 3–4 months, density becomes noticeable at 6–9 months, and the final result is judged at 12–18 months. The timeline further down shows the usual stages.

1. Day of surgeryLocal anaesthesia, grafts are taken and implanted; you go home the same day.
2. Days 1–10The scalp heals and small crusts fall off; you follow the washing and sleeping instructions.
3. Weeks 2–4Transplanted hairs shed. This is expected: the follicles remain under the skin.
4. Months 3–4New hair begins to grow, often fine at first.
5. Months 6–9Density becomes clearly visible.
6. Months 12–18The final result can be assessed.

A hair transplant at City Medical Centre

City Medical Centre performs FUE, DHI and combined hair transplants for international patients, and patients from Bucharest can start with an online consultation. The first consultation is free: the doctor assesses photos of the hair and the donor area, counts the grafts needed and names the price, which is then fixed in the contract. Prices start at $2,200 for FUE, $2,500 for DHI and $2,700 for the combined method. The price includes follow-up appointments at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, and the clinic gives a lifetime guarantee of hair growth. More details are on the hair transplant page.

To be clear: City Medical Centre has no connection with Adrian Mutu or his treatment. His story is simply a well-known example of a man who talked openly about the procedure.

Hair transplant prices in this article are the current offer, valid until 31 October 2026. Regular prices: FUE $2,700, DHI $2,900, combined method $2,900. The price that applies to you is confirmed at the consultation.

Frequently asked questions

When did Adrian Mutu have his hair transplant?

He talked about it in March 2024 on the “Fanatik Superliga” show, while he was coaching CFR Cluj, and shared his progress five months later, in August 2024.

Which method did Adrian Mutu use?

He did not say publicly which technique was used or how many grafts were transplanted, so we do not speculate. Today most transplants are done by FUE, DHI or a combination.

Does a hair transplant hurt?

It is done under local anaesthesia. Mutu said it was not painful and that he slept during the procedure. The injections of the anaesthetic are usually the most noticeable part, followed by mild discomfort for a few days.

How long does a hair transplant take?

Usually several hours — Mutu himself said it takes a few hours and is painstaking work. The exact time depends on the number of grafts.

How much does a hair transplant cost at City Medical Centre?

Prices start at $2,200 for FUE, $2,500 for DHI and $2,700 for the combined method. The final price is given after the free consultation and fixed in the contract.