LIONEL Messi is well known for his skills on the pitch, but some particular moves have captivated the attention of his fans.
The Inter Miami star has unique goal celebrations and here we take a look at what they mean.
What goal celebrations does Lionel Messi perform?
Lionel Messi has made a significant impact in the United States, scoring five goals in his initial three matches with Inter Miami as the MLS club targets the Leagues Cup crown.
In a Leagues Cup match against Atlanta Messi debuted a mysterious new goal celebration which got fans talking.
He continued the trend a week later, and a pattern began to form.
The celebration sees him stop and hold out his hand toward someone in the crowd before giving a little smirk.
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Messi’s wife confirmed on her Instagram page that her husband is trying to channel the power of Thor, mimicking the Marvel superhero’s ability to summon his powerful hammer into his hand.
Prior to this, Messi had another celebration move which saw him point up to the sky.
What do Lionel Messi’s goal celebrations mean?
Messi can be seen performing his celebration after scoring a goal, usually on his way back to his own half to prepare for the game to restart and score again.
The star has had plenty of opportunities to celebrate and as of December 2023, he has scored 11 goals in 14 games in all competitions to finish the first season with Inter Miami.
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He has been named Time Magazine’s Athlete of the Year for 2023.
What has Lionel Messi said about his goal celebrations?
Messi revealed the backstory behind Marvel goal celebrations, saying that they are for his kids.
He told The Miami Herald: “My three kids are still on vacation, have not started school yet, so every night we watch Marvel superhero movies.
“They came up with the idea, I had a game the next day, and they asked that whenever I have a game and score a goal, I do a Marvel superhero celebration.”
Messi also previously explained the celebration in which he points up to the sky, revealing it was a dedication to his grandmother Celia Olivera Cuccittini, who passed away when he was 11.
“I am doing this because I dedicate my goals to my grandmother. She took to me to football but now she can’t see how far I have come. Nevertheless, she continues to help me and my family,” Messi revealed.
Messi’s grandmother brought him to his first football game, according to Luca Caioli, the author of a biography on the player.
