Explainers

DEJAN KULUSEVSKI is one of many footballers who have adopted a signature celebration to perform during matches.The sportsman, who plays for Tottenham Hotspur and the Sweden national team, has opened up about his trademark move in the past, revealing the special meaning behind it.
Dejan Kulusevski has revealed the special meaning behind his goal celebrationCredit: Alex Pantling/Getty Images
What does Dejan Kulusevski’s celebration mean?
Dejan Kulusevski has confirmed that his celebration is to signify his tunnel vision when it comes to football.
The move sees the player putting a hand on either side of his face.
Kulusevski has also been known to pay homage to basketball legend LeBron James during football games.
James is often seen smashing his own chest and pushing his hands down as part of his move that has been dubbed “The Silencer” by fans.
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Before adopting his “Tunnel Vision” celebration, Kulusevski was seen copying James’ signature gesture on a number of occasions.
When does Dejan Kulusevski perform his celebration?
Like other players who have become known for their celebrations, such as Jude Bellingham, Antoine Griezmann and John McGinn, Kulusevski uses his move to mark when he has scored a goal.
Kulusevski, who was born in Stockholm, Sweden, in May 2000, has scored 10 goals for Tottenham since joining the club in 2022.
He first joined Spurs on loan from Juventus.
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Kulusevski was originally with the squad on an 18-month contract but in June 2023 it was announced that he had signed permanently with Tottenham Hotspur until 2028.
Midifielder Kulusevski played for Juventus for two years after signing with the Turin-based team in 2020.
Prior to that, he played for Serie A club Parma.
Dejan has also enjoyed a hugely successful international career.
He has played for all Swedish youth national teams, as well as the Macedonia under-17 national team.
The star made his senior international debut for Sweden in November 2019.
He has since scored three goals for Sweden in 35 appearances.
What has Dejan Kulusevski said about his celebration?
Kulusevski has opened up about the important meaning behind his “Tunnel Vision” celebration.
When asked about the move, he told Football.London: “It was just watch straight, don’t watch nobody else.
“Just listen to our coach, be with our team-mates and watch straight that is all.”
“Nothing else,” he added.
Kulusevski’s words came after his team was defeated by Chelsea in early November.
Speaking about Spurs’ 4-1 loss, which saw him score his third goal of the season, the player revealed how proud he was of his teammates despite the defeat.
He said: “I think we created a lot of chances and Eric Dier scored a goal that in the end was offside, but then we had great opportunity with both Bentancur and Sonny.
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“So, we created three chances and Vicario was unbelievable in the goal.”
He added: “We did really well and of course in the end they score the goals, but I am very proud of the team.” More

WHILE a number of famous footballers have become known for their celebrations on the pitch, Antoine Griezmann has taken things a step further.Not satisfied with just one unique gesture, the Atlético Madrid star has three different celebrations that he entertains fans with.
Antoine Griezmann has more than one celebration that he is known forCredit: FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images
What does Antoine Griezmann’s celebration mean?
One of the celebrations Antoine Griezmann is known for is his “telephone” gesture.
This one sees him stick his thumb and finger out and waving his hands as if holding a vibrating telephone.
Griezmann himself has confirmed that his move was inspired by Canadian rapper Drake.
The musician was seen performing a similar gesture in the music video for his 2015 hit Hotline Bling.
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Griezmann has been seen celebrating with his telephone move many times in the past, including when he scored a whopping 32 goals for Atlético Madrid during the 2015/16 season.
It has also been featured in several FIFA games as his signature celebration.
Another popular celebration of Griezmann’s is his salsa gesture.
For this one the Frenchman, who was born in Mâcon in 1991, is seen holding his arms as if he is about to perform a salsa routine.
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He then proceeds to dance in celebration.
Griezmann is also often seen celebrating with his “L” move.
This celebration appears to have been inspired by the video game Fortnite, where the “L” or “loser” stance is used as a pose.
For those unfamiliar with the move, it sees players in the game swinging their legs side-to-side with one arm at head height making the letter “L” with their index finger and the thumb.
Several other athletes have been seen performing this celebration, including professional baseball player Xander Bogaerts who is shortstop for the Boston Red Sox.
When does Antoine Griezmann perform his celebration?
Griezmann celebrates with one of his trademark poses after he has scored a goal in football.
The forward has had many to his name throughout his impressive career.
As of December 2023, the player is just two goals behind Luis Aragonés’ record as Atlético’s all-time top scorer.
Aragonés signed for the Madrid team in 1964 and scored 172 goals during his 265 matches, and ten years, with the club.
Internationally, meanwhile, Griezmann has scored over 40 goals for France and is the nation’s third-highest all-time top goalscorer.
Griezmann joined Atlético Madrid for a then-club record of €30million in 2014.
The sports star signed for Barcelona in 2019 but returned to Madrid shortly after, in 2021.
As well as his many goals, Griezmann has been awarded a number of accolades during his time as a player.
He was named French Footballer of the Year in 2016 and was the top goal scorer at the 2016 Euros.
Atlético Madrid also named Griezmann Player of the Year after the 2015/16 season.
The star has won the UEFA Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the Supercopa de España.
He was also nominated for Best FIFA Men’s Player in 2016 and 2018.
What has Antoine Griezmann said about his celebration?
Griezmann, who shares three children with wife Erika Choperena, has spoken about his Hotline Bling-inspired celebration in the past.
After he was quizzed on the move when he forgot to perform it at a 2016 game, he told press: “That’s a dance from the video to Drake’s Hotline Bling.
“I’ve been doing it when I score for Atlético and I should have done it when I scored against Albania, but the emotion was too much and I forgot about it.
“The same thing happened when I equalised against Ireland. For the second goal, I remembered.”
He has also spoken about his Fornite themed celebration, revealing it was one of his daughter’s ideas.
He said in 2020: “This morning, I was having breakfast with my daughter and I asked her how she would like me to celebrate a goal.
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“She told me to do this and that’s how it came about!”  
Griezmann has two daughters and one son who were all born on the same date, April 8. More