Ronaldo to Salah: 6 Football Stars Who Refused to Celebrate After Scoring

Ronaldo to Salah: 6 Football Stars Who Refused to Celebrate After Scoring

Fred Kennedy
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:24 PM
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  • Footballers are accustomed to celebrating when they score goals during matches
  • However, there are the rare circumstances when players choose not to celebrate
  • Cristiano Ronaldo and Mo Salah are among footballers who opted not to celebrate

Scoring goals during a match is undoubtedly one of the sweetest feelings for footballers.

Customarily, footballers who score during matches are expected to celebrate when they score.

However, there are those who opt not to, in what has now become one of the newest trends in the world of football.

Michael Olise, Crystal Palace, Tyrick Mitchell, Premier League, Manchester United, Selhurst Park.
Michael Olise celebrates with Tyrick Mitchell after scoring during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United at Selhurst Park. Photo by Sebastian Frej.
Source: Getty Images

From Cristiano Ronaldo to Mohamed Salah, several top footballers have previously chosen not to celebrate after finding the back of the net, in what is now infamously known as 'non-celebration.'

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Recently, Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise became the latest football star not to celebrate after scoring.

The youngster scored a vital goal at stoppage time against Manchester United to earn his side a crucial point.

However, rather than break into jubilation after scoring, Olise looked almost unimpressed with his own effort as he performed a subdued celebration.

Sports Brief takes a look at the top six players who have previously participated in 'non-celebration':

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is well-known for his iconic 'Siuuu' celebration.

However, during the 2012/13 season, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner refused to celebrate after he had scored for Real Madrid, despite helping his side progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League at the expense of Manchester United.

Ronaldo held his hands up for a quiet celebration as a sign of respect for his former club.

2. Mohamed Salah

Liverpool star, Mohamed Salah pulled off the calming yoga tree pose during the 2018/19 Premier League campaign after he scored against his former club, Chelsea.

It was initially thought that Salah's muted celebration was a sign of respect for the Blues, with the forward later revealing his 'non-celebration' was a tribute to those killed in the Sinai mosque attack.

3. Jesse Lingard

When Jesse Lingard scored for Manchester United in the dying minutes of their meeting with West Ham in the 2021/22 season, many had expected the Englishman to show his excitement by celebrating.

However, the Red Devils academy graduate decided against celebrating and chose to stay calm as his teammates mobbed him. Lingard had enjoyed a successful loan spell with the Hammers in the previous season.

4. N'Golo Kante

Ngolo Kante is undoubtedly one of the best midfielders in the world, becoming known for his humbleness and calm personality.

The Frenchman has often exhibited the same after scoring, by choosing not to celebrate.

With his teammates running around the pitch in celebration after finding the back of the net, Kante has often chosen to mute his celebration on several occasions.

5. Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard, a Chelsea legend, came back to haunt the Blues while plying his trade with Manchester City.

The legendary midfielder joined the Citizens on loan from MLS club New York City, who he had joined after his departure from Stamford Bridge.

On his return to the Premier League, Lampard volleyed home a powerful equaliser against Chelsea during one meeting to earn the Citizens a precious point.

As expected, the former England international did not celebrate, perhaps out of respect for the Blues, who he spent 13 years with during his spell at Stamford Bridge.

6. Robin van Persie

In his prime, Robin van Persie was unarguably one of the best finishers in the world.

His impressive career at Arsenal saw him snapped up by rivals Man United in 2012/13. A move to Old Trafford afforded him the opportunity to come up against the Gunners.

Having promised not to celebrate against his old team earlier on, the Dutchman kept his word when he found the back of the net during their meeting. The former striker reacted by putting his hands in the air with almost no emotion on his face.

Olise's non-celebration vs Man United

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Michael Olise refusing to celebrate against Man United, leaving fans stunned.

The French youngster scored at stoppage time with a stunning free kick, to earn Crystal Palace a precious point.

Rather than joining his teammates in celebration however, the 21-year-old causually walked back to his position.

Authors
Fred Kennedy photo
Fred Kennedy
Fred Kennedy has a Bachelor's degree in journalism (Daystar University), currently working as a Sports Editor. He has more than five years of experience in digital journalism.