United States striker Folarin Balogun has revealed that his celebration after scoring against Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup was a special tribute to Nigerian midfielder Alex Iwobi.
Balogun scored twice in the match as the United States secured a comfortable victory, but it was his celebration that caught the attention of fans. After finding the net, the forward lifted his jersey to reveal a message reading “Thank You 17”.
The Arsenal academy graduate later explained that the gesture was dedicated to Iwobi, who wore the number 17 during much of his career and played a key role in helping him during his early years at Arsenal.
“When I was at Arsenal, he was a mentor who helped guide me at an important stage of my career. This goal was dedicated to him,” Balogun said after the match.
The tribute highlighted the strong bond between the two players and the lasting impact experienced professionals can have on younger teammates behind the scenes.
Balogun’s heartfelt gesture turned a memorable World Cup performance into an emotional show of appreciation for one of the figures who helped shape his career.
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