Former Manchester City defender, Joleon Lescott, has shed light on why Erling Haaland replicated Chelsea legend Didier Drogba’s goal celebration. Haaland emulated Drogba’s iconic celebration during Man City’s Champions League victory over Young Boys.
In this context, Lescott explained that Haaland recreated Drogba’s celebration against Young Boys because the Ivorian legend had asked him in Paris to acknowledge him the next time he scores for Man City with a throwback goal celebration. Drogba had recently participated in the awards ceremony at the Ballon d’Or event, where Haaland was recognized as the second-best men’s player globally, behind Lionel Messi.
Elaborating on Haaland’s imitation of the goal celebration, Lescott told TNT Sports: “At the Ballon d’Or ceremony, Drogba and Gary Lineker questioned him about his loyalties and whether he could dedicate a celebration the next time he scored. There, he dedicated that goal celebration to Didier, and it’s a significant moment for him.”
Drogba is widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s greatest strikers, having scored 164 goals in all competitions during his two stints with Chelsea. His most famous celebration involved running towards the corner flag while gesturing both hands towards the ground.