Antoine Griezmann Draws Inspiration From South Africa’s Siphiwe Tshabalala With Latest Celebration

• Siphiwe Tshabalala broke out an iconic celebration after scoring in the FIFA World Cup
• Antoine Griezmann and Rodrigo de Paul copied Shabba's famous celebration in La Liga
• Griezmann admitted that his young son loves Shabba's celebration, and so he used it

Oscar Wilde once said, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”

If that is the case, then Siphiwe Tshabalala has a lot to be flattered about.

The Bafana Bafana was the talk of the town in La Liga this past weekend, thanks to Antoine Griezmann.

The French superstar scored a brace, ESPN reported, as Atleti beat Girona to boost their chances of a top-four finish, but it was his celebration that caught the eye of many.

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Griezmann and his teammate Rodrigo de Paul emulated South Africa’s iconic celebration from the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Shabba broke out in the dance after scoring the tournament's opening goal against Mexico, which took place just under 14 years ago.

Griezmann explains goal celebration

Speaking after the La Liga fixture, the Atleti star said they were watching the goal celebrations at home when Tshabalala’s one popped up.

He explained that his son loves the celebration, so he decided to do it. He then sent it to Rodri, who was also keen, he explained in an Instagram post.

Shabba reacts to La Liga tribute

Rodri and Griezmann’s tribute to Shabba soon went viral, and it wasn’t long before the South African was made aware of it.

The winger took to social media and thanked the La Liga duo for the tribute, saying that his celebration had gone from Phiri to the world. Shabba was born in a place known as Phiri in Soweto.

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Tshabalala’s goal still invokes national pride

Sports Brief previously reported that Tshabalala’s goal in the FIFA World Cup is still talked about 12 years later.

The South African winger scored the opening goal of the tournament against Mexico with a long-range screamer.

The goal, and Peter Drury’s commentary about it, became a thing of legend and still invokes passion to this day.