7 footballers who always celebrate the same and the meaning behind it
A celebration is more than just a reflex. These moments capture raw emotion, passion, and personal stories. From a humble arm up in the air to an elaborate dance, each iconic celebration tells a story. These are the stories behind some of football’s most recognisable goal celebrations.
Viktor Gyökeres
Since moving to Sporting CP, Viktor Gyökeres has taken the world by storm. The Swedish footballer is considered one of the world’s best strikers, scoring 66 goals in 68 appearances for the Portuguese club. He’s also one of the leading goalscorers in this year’s UEFA Champions League campaign.
His iconic celebration, during which he puts a ‘mask’ in front of his face, is immensely popular among Sportinguistas. Even though he had promised to reveal the meaning behind his celebration during his time at Coventry City, he still hasn’t publicly spoken about it. However, on an Instagram post in June 2024, he wrote the caption: ‘’Nobody cared until I put on the mask’’. This is derived from a quote from Bane, a supervillain in Batman movies, who said: ‘’No-one cared who I was until I put on the mask.’’
It’s unsure whether this is the exact reason behind the celebration, but it fits in with the career path of the 26-year-old Swedish striker as he mainly played lower-tier football before moving to Sporting CP.
Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken
Memphis Depay
Whenever Memphis scores, he puts his fingers to his ears. Originally, the meaning behind it was the be blind and deaf to the world and block out all the external noise. According to Memphis, it’s important to have tunnel vision and be really focused so that you can give the best version of yourself without distractions.
When the Dutch footballer started his foundation, the celebration took an even deeper meaning. The Memphis Foundation in Ghana invests in a world where deaf and blind young people can fully participate and are completely welcome in their community. Unfortunately, in too many countries, deaf and blind young people are forgotten altogether. Memphis’ celebration, which also makes up the foundation’s logo, has now turned into a message to inspire blind and deaf young people.
Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘Siuuuu’ celebration is a worldwide sensation. However, it was invented in the spur of the moment during a pre-season match against Chelsea in the United States. ‘’I started to say ‘si’, it’s like ‘yes’, when I was in Real Madrid,’’ Ronaldo said. ‘’I was in the USA and we played against Chelsea and I don’t know where this is coming from, the celebration. I just scored the goal and it just came out. It was just natural to be honest. Since that, I started doing it more often and I feel like the supporters and fans see it and they’re like ‘Cristiano, siiiuuu’. I’m like ‘wow! People are reminded of me because of it!’’’
In an interview with LiveScore, the Portuguese superstar said that the celebration has now grown into a global phenomenon. ‘’I love when I see other players doing it, or people send me videos of people in other sports doing it or little kids doing it – it’s great.’’
Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken
Luis Suarez
Although Suarez’s celebration is not as eye-catching or iconic as some other celebrations on this list, you may have noticed how Suarez never forgets to kiss his fingers and wrists after scoring a goal. The first kiss on the finger is a tribute to his wife, Sofia Balbi. He then kisses his wrist, which has a tattoo of Delfina, Suarez’s eldest child. Afterwards, the striker kisses his three fingers as a gesture to his entire family, including his two other children Benjamin and Lauti.
Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken
Lionel Messi
Whenever Lionel Messi scores a goal, he always points to the sky. It’s not always the main centrepiece of his celebration, but he never forgets to do so. The footballer of Inter Miami revealed in the past that it serves as a dedication to his grandmother, who brought him to his first-ever football game and who passed away when he was eleven. ‘’I am doing this because I dedicate my goals to my grandmother. She took me to football but now she can’t see how far I have come. Nevertheless, she continues to help me and my family,’’ Messi said.
Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken
Daniel Sturridge
Even though Daniel Sturridge has been retired for a while, no football fan will ever forget his iconic celebration. On his YouTube Channel, the former English striker revealed that he calls it ‘The Sturridge dance’ and that it was born during a house gathering with friends and family. ‘’Hanging out with my cousins and my friends in my apartment. There was some house music playing, filming us, a couple of drinks flowing, you know. I literally just started doing that move. It wasn’t as smooth, it wasn’t as clean but I was a little bit tipsy and just decided to start moving that way. We all found it hilarious and then I was just like ‘You know what, if I score, I’ll do it!’’’
Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken
Sturridge is honoured that the celebration became as iconic as it did. ‘’I’m honoured by it because I didn’t expect it to last this long. I’m really honoured and want to thank the fans for letting me have a celebration go down as one of the best in the game.’’
Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer’s goal celebration was different from any other. It wasn’t complicated at all, it was very simple. He lifted his right arm in the air, sometimes pointed his index finger up, but most of the time not, and simply jogged. It’s still one of the most iconic celebrations within football and is forever immortalised with a statue at his beloved St. James’ Park.
In an interview with 90MIN, the Newcastle United legend revealed the story behind it. ‘’Just the one arm up with the little finger there. Don’t ask me why. It just sort of happened. I did it once at Southampton and I got so much stick off the lads and some of the crowd for it being a dull, boring celebration that I thought: ‘You know what, I’m going to do it again and again and again.’ And it just happened. And that’s why I did it.’’
Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken
Gerelateerde artikelen
The new European football stadiums opening in 2025
From FC Barcelona’s renovated Camp Nou to a beautiful modern arena in Ankara.
Read more
