Saturday, February 17, 2024 – 7:00 PM I by Editorial Staff
Romelu Lukaku managed to score again last Thursday. During his celebration, he made a striking gesture that caused quite a stir.
Romelu Lukaku managed to score again last Thursday. During his celebration, he made a striking gesture that caused quite a stir.
Lukaku didn’t need much to score again in the Europa League. Leonardo Spinazzola delivered an excellent cross and Lukaku easily headed in the equalizer, his sixth goal in seven European games this season. But it is above all his celebration that will stay with us.
Lukaku celebrated with two fingers to his head, like a gun, while holding his other hand over his mouth. This gesture was a statement against the deadly violence in eastern Congo. “Stop the genocide,” he posted on Instagram immediately after the match.
Eastern Congo has been plagued by violence and armed conflict for years. The Congolese army is fighting the rebel group ‘M23’, supported by neighboring country Rwanda. Congo’s national football team also highlighted the increasingly escalating conflict during their African Cup of Nations semi-final against Ivory Coast. During the national anthem they made the ‘arms gesture’ for the first time.
Watch the much-discussed celebration here:
