The prospect of watching amazing goals is what makes Football a highly anticipated and interesting sport. But much more than that, the way some players celebrate goals, makes it even more thrilling. Over the years, we have seen some acrobatic, emotional as well as totally ridiculous celebrations in Football.
Here is a short list of such celebrations:
# 7 – Alan Shearer’s trademark celebration
Alan Shearer’s had an illustrious career in England and so was his trademark celebration. Shearer netted for more than 250 times in the Premier League and he celebrated the better part of those goals in the same manner – With his arms raised and running towards the fans.
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Fans always knew that it was Shearer who scored the goal as soon as they see a hand rise on the pitch .
# 6 – Robbie Fowler’s celebration vs Everton, 1999
In 1999, Everton fans were taunting Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler, about his alleged use of cocaine. So, when Fowler netted a goal against Everton via a penalty-kick, he immediately got down on his knees and imitated the sniffing of cocaine at the sidelines.
Fowler had a great sense of sarcasm and at the same time, he effectively hit out against his critics.
# 5 – Emmanuel Adebayor vs Arsenal, 2009
Adebayor had just moved to Manchester City from Arsenal. It was earlier in the season and when Arsenal came to Eastlands, emotions were flying high.
When Adebayor scored a goal from a header, he ran the entire length of the Eastlands pitch to celebrate in front of the visiting Arsenal fans. Most players avoid celebrating when they score against their former clubs, but Adebayor isn’t like most players is he?
# 4 – Jimmy Bullard’s celebration vs Manchester City, 2009
Okay. To understand this better, you need a recap. Exactly a year before this has happened, Hull City were facing Man City in Eastlands and they conceded four goals in the first half. Phil Brown, the manager made all his players sit around him in the middle of the park and lectured them after the end of the game.
So, when Jimmy Bullard scored a goal against Man City in the same Eastlands a year later, he made all his teammates sit around him and he wiggled his fingers at them. It was quite funny. Phil himself commented, “I couldn’t deliver my post-match speech as I was laughing so much. The whole thing was timed to perfection.”
# 3 – Lomana Lua Lua – Multiple times, Multiple celebrations
He runs backwards, he produces multiple back flips, sommersaults and wheels away like a 100 m sprinter. He did play for Newcastle United for a period of four years and in that time, won the English hearts with his breathtaking celebrations.
Lua Lua was a gymnast in his high school days and that has clearly helped him in his celebrations.
# 2 – Mario Balotelli vs Germany, 2012
“Does a postman celebrate when he delivers a letter?” said Balotelli. “I’m just doing my job. Why should I celebrate?”
I’m sorry that I’m describing this as a celebration. But come on! This guy has just scored two goals against a powerhouse and is en route to take his team to the finals of the European Championship and all he does is stare!
Amazing! He got booked for taking his shirt off, but as Mario comments, the booking was for different reasons – “The referee saw my body and became jealous, so he booked me.”
# 1 – Eric Cantona vs Sunderland, 1996
Eric Cantona received the ball and powerfully chipped it to the corner of the post, to score one of the greatest goals of all time against Sunderland in 1996.
But what followed was not a celebration. It was pure Genius. Cantona surveyed the Old Trafford stadium, circled right where he stood and saw the fans celebrating in the wildest possible manner. Finally, Cantona rose his arms in appreciation. It truly was a mesmerizing moment.
