Chennai: Imagine a Fifa World Cup without goal celebrations. Needless to say, a goal not followed by crazy running, spectacular flips, flailing arms, rugby-style piling of bodies and hugging of happy souls will be like a meal minus dessert. Goals are admittedly the lifeblood of the beautiful game but they would be lacking something if they aren’t celebrated with suitable vigour.
The World Cup has always been a fertile ground for innovative celebrations. African teams deserve a special mention for adding a dash of colour to joyous scenes after a goal. Dancing is an intrinsic part of many sub-Saharan African cultures and it’s not a surprise that players from the Old Continent grab the headlines during a World Cup for their catchy jigs.
Who can forget Roger Milla’s signature style at Italia 90? The forward, who was old enough to be the father of some of his Cameroonian team-mates, wasn’t supposed to be playing at the 1990 World Cup. He had been relaxing in the Reunion Island when a phone call from his country’s president persuaded him to pack his bags for Italy.
The rest was four goals in his country’s unexpected journey to the quarter-finals and an adorable hand-on-navel dance routine near a corner flag. Milla became more famous for his celebrations than goals. Senegal, who emulated Cameroon by reaching the quarters in 2002, celebrated their opening day win over France in some style. Papa Bouba Diop, the scorer of the winning goal, put his jersey on the ground near a corner flag and danced around it with his team-mates.
The dance is reported to have a specific meaning in Senegalese culture but for the wider world it was just an impressive way of enjoying an achievement. Removing the jersey is punishable with a yellow card now, so don’t expect African players to do a Diop in Brazil. Brazil caught the attention of the world in 1994 with their baby cradle routine to mark the birth of Bebeto’s son. Romario, one of the stars of that Brazilian team, did his bit for team bonding by joining in the ‘cradling’ show.
Among the current stars, Miroslav Klose of Germany is known to do a flip after scoring goals. The Polish-born striker may not go for his signature style in Brazil because he is long in the tooth and his team short on forwards. Coaches also frown upon dangerous somersaults these days. Klose wouldn’t like to injure himself as he has set his sights on eclipsing Ronaldo’s all-time World Cup goal tally of 15.
The best World Cup celebration of all-time belongs to Marco Tardelli. The defender’s joyous run, with his arms flailing, eyes bulging and mouth wide open, after scoring Italy’s second goal in the 1982 final against West Germany was full of passion and spontaneity. Such a dash can never be choreographed.
