Basketball superstar LeBron James congratulated Folarin Balogun after the striker copied his trademark “Silencer” celebration while scoring for the United States in their World Cup win on Wednesday.
Balogun twice put the ball in the net in the 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, whipping out James’s signature dance move each time, though his first effort was ruled offside.
“THE (Silencer) HAS (Arrived) at the World Cup!” posted James on X, using a shushing emoji and another of a plane landing.
“Helluva goal there, Young (King)!” added James, whose nickname is King James, using another emoji featuring a crown.
The post on X has received nearly four million views.
James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, is known for performing the celebration after scoring, particularly when he sinks clutch, game-changing shots. The dance involves lifting his knees, pushing both palms down toward the floor, and tapping his chest, and signals that he has “silenced” an aggressive or vocal opponent.
Balogun, 24, was born in New York, raised in London, and now lives and plays in France. A basketball fanatic, he was famously flown to Florida with courtside NBA tickets when American scouts tried to persuade him to play for the US instead of England or Nigeria.
He has three World Cup goals so far, but will miss Monday’s last-16 game against Belgium after being sent off in the Bosnia match.
James, 41, this week said he will leave the Los Angeles Lakers but return for an unprecedented 24th season with another franchise — a move that rocked the league as free agency opened.
AFP
