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The main objective in a game of football is to score goals. At the end of the day, it is the only metric of the game that really matters. So it's reasonable for footballers to celebrate every time they score unless, of course, it's a consolation goal at the end of an embarrassing performance.
While there are generic celebrations, like a regular knee slide, or punching the air or even executing a drop-kick on the corner flag, some footballers get inventive. Some of the most iconic footballers in the history of the game have had unique and iconic goal celebrations.
It's something that fans look forward to seeing every time they score a goal. Without further ado, let's take a look at five of the most iconic celebrations in football right now and the meaning behind them.
#5 Edinson Cavani (Manchester United) - The Archer
Edinson Cavani is inarguably one of the finest strikers of the modern era. He is a proven goalscorer who is still going strong at the age of 34. Cavani has become a fan-favourite at Manchester United since joining as a free-agent in the summer of 2020.
He has salvaged many a point for the Red Devils so far and his goal celebration is one that is a fitting tribute to his skillset. Cavani goes on one knee and strikes the pose of an archer. While it is indicative of the knowledge and experience he has garnered over the course of his career there is a deeper meaning to it.
Cavani told the United Review:
“It’s a bit of a long story and it’s kind of wrapped up in our country’s history, and the indigenous population, the Charrúas. When my little daughter, India, was born, her name is just a small reference to our native Uruguayans, the Charrúas.
“So that arrow that I take out and then fire, is a goal celebration that sort of encapsulates all these things: a mix of my daughter’s name and the indigenous peoples of my country.
“It has a special meaning, but like you say, Eric reminded me of it, even though at the end of each celebration, I always make sure I take out the arrow and fire it.”
So, it is actually a nod to the indigenous peoples of Uruguay. The next time you see it, you'll know exactly what it means.
#4 Luis Suarez (Atletico Madrid) - Three Kisses
Uruguayans seem to be really passionate and admirable people. Edinson Cavani's strike partner on the international circuit, Luis Suarez, is no stranger to iconic celebrations. El Pistolero has kept his iconic celebration going for years.
As he wheels away in celebration after scoring a goal, Suarez plants kisses on his wrist and four fingers. All three of his children's names are now tattooed on his wrist. He kisses his ring finger as a tribute to his wife and the other three fingers signify his children Delfina, Lautaro and Benjamin.
#3 Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) - Two hands across the chest
Kylian Mbappe is widely viewed as the heir apparent to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He is a prolific goalscorer who has already scored 166 goals in his club career. Mbappe is still just 22-years-old.
The Frenchman has had 166 reasons to celebrate so far in his club career and it's only natural that he'd have put some thought into his celebrations. Mbappe has been using his iconic two hands across the chest celebration for a while now. He says it was actually invented by his younger brother when they were playing FIFA.
“He scored a goal and celebrated by crossing his arms. Five minutes later, he stopped and said ‘Kylian, you could do that in a match.’ So I did it.
“So it happened in Dortmund and I did it. He was happy. I told him: ‘Now I’ve stolen it, it’s mine!’”
#2 Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain) - Two fingers to the sky
Lionel Messi is arguably the greatest footballer of all time. The man is a phenomenon who does things on the football pitch that can leave the entire world gasping in awe. Messi has scored 751 goals in his senior career for both club and country.
The Argentina international has a simplistic celebration where he points two fingers at the sky. Messi has revealed that it is a tribute to his grandmother who used to take him to football matches when he was a kid.
She unfortunately didn't live long enough to see how far his grandson has come but Messi makes it a point to honor his grandmother regularly. Messi said (via Goal):
"I am doing this because I dedicate my goals to my grandmother. She took to me to football but now she can't see how far I have come. Nevertheless, she continues to help me and my family."
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) - SIUUU
Cristiano Ronaldo has had many iconic celebrations. But none of them represents his dominance and goalscoring exploits quite like his 'SIU' celebration. Ronaldo runs towards the corner flag before jumping and executing a pirouette in mid-air before shouting 'Si' which means 'Yes' in Spanish.
While the celebratory move is quite a sight in itself, it is made even better by the fans shouting 'SIUUU' in sync with Ronaldo. Speaking to DAZN Italia (via Tribuna), Ronaldo discussed the origins of his trademark celebration. He said:
"I started to say 'Si', which is like 'yes' when I was at Real Madrid. When we win, everyone says 'SIUUU' and I started to say it, I don't know why. It was natural.
"I scored a goal and I did that [the celebration]. People asked me why did I do it and I don't know why. It was natural! Because I always say, the best things come in a natural way."
