Some goal celebrations are remembered far longer than the goals that sparked them.
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup plays out across the United States, Canada and Mexico, fans will see new signature moves — some playful, some defiant, all instantly recognisable.
This is a look at the stories behind football’s most iconic celebrations, from Bebeto’s baby cradle to Cristiano Ronaldo’s “Siu.”
The stories behind football’s most iconic goal celebrations
From 1990s World Cup theatre to today’s signature poses, these are the moves fans recognise instantly — and the players behind them.
Bebeto
The most enduring of them is Bebeto’s baby cradle. According to FIFA, the Brazilian striker rocked an imaginary baby after scoring in the 1994 quarter-final against the Netherlands in Dallas, days after his son Mattheus was born.
What made it iconic was the company. Teammates Romário and Mazinho ran over to cradle alongside him, and Brazil went on to win the tournament eight days later.
Roger Milla
Cameroon’s veteran striker danced a wiggle by the corner flag after each goal at Italia 1990. It was one of football’s first globally copied celebrations, as catalogued by FourFourTwo.
Jürgen Klinsmann
The Germany striker satirised his own reputation for diving with a theatrical belly-flop at the 1994 World Cup. It was a move his teammates quickly joined in on.
Kylian Mbappé
The France forward’s cool, arms-crossed pose became a modern signature after he burst onto the scene at Russia 2018.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo’s “Siu” is now the most imitated celebration in the sport — a leap, a mid-air spin, and a bellowed “Siuuu” on landing.
The word is simply “sim” or “sí” — Portuguese and Spanish for “yes.” Ronaldo told ESPN it first slipped out spontaneously during his Real Madrid years and simply stuck.
At 41, Ronaldo is chasing a final World Cup with Portugal, and a “Siu” in front of a packed stadium in New York or Los Angeles would be one of the images of the tournament.
Mohamed Salah
The Egypt and Liverpool forward balances on one leg with hands pressed together, a yoga pose called Vrikshasana. He told Goal it came to him on the spot because “I am a yoga man.”
Erling Haaland
Norway’s striker sits cross-legged in a lotus-style pose. Per Goal, it is a nod to the meditation he credits for his calm and focus.
Neymar
Brazil’s forward mixes dances and cheeky hand signs. He once balanced a boot on his head, telling ESPN it was a birthday tribute to a friend.
Alex Morgan
After scoring for the United States against England in the 2019 Women’s World Cup semi-final in Lyon, the USWNT forward mimed sipping a cup of tea, pinky out.
England fans read it as a dig at their nation, but Morgan told reporters it referenced the phrase “that’s the tea” — about telling a story or spreading news — and was not a hit at England. The gesture and its meaning are unpacked by Goal.
Antoine Griezmann
Griezmann brought gaming into the spotlight at Russia 2018. He performed the “Take the L” dance from Fortnite after scoring in France’s final win over Croatia, a celebration explained by FIFA and now copied by players worldwide.
With Norway and Egypt both at the tournament, expect Haaland’s and Salah’s poses to feature too.
If you are planning to follow your team across the host cities, you can compare flights to New York, check Toronto and Mexico City arrivals, find hotels near the host stadiums, or track schedules on the Wego flight tracker.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Cristiano Ronaldo’s “Siu” celebration mean?
It comes from the Portuguese and Spanish word for “yes.” Ronaldo has said it slipped out naturally at Real Madrid and became his trademark.
Why did Bebeto rock an imaginary baby at the 1994 World Cup?
His son Mattheus had been born days earlier. The cradle gesture honoured the newborn, and teammates Romário and Mazinho joined in.
What is Mohamed Salah’s yoga celebration?
It is the tree pose, or Vrikshasana, balancing on one leg with hands together. Salah has said it simply came to him because he practises yoga.
Sources
- FIFA — Bebeto’s baby-cradling celebration at USA 1994
- FIFA — Antoine Griezmann’s goal celebration at Russia 2018
- ESPN — Cristiano Ronaldo’s first “Siuuu”: when the celebration was invented
- Goal — Mohamed Salah’s goal celebrations explained
- Goal — What is Erling Haaland’s meditation celebration?
- ESPN — Neymar explains celebrating by balancing a boot on his head
- Goal — What is the Alex Morgan tea-sipping celebration?
- The Washington Post — Alex Morgan’s tea celebration against England
- FourFourTwo — The most iconic goal celebrations
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