Marcus Rashford point finger to head celebration for Manchester United is being imitated worldwide, but it wasn’t his idea
Despite becoming associated with his signature celebration this season, Manchester United sensation Marcus Rashford wasn’t the first, according to keen-eyed supporters.
Rashford has been in his form of life.
Rashford’s performance at United has undergone a spectacular turnaround, and he has become very crucial to Erik ten Hag’s push for the top-four finish in the Premier League. The 25-year-old United forward is in excellent form right now, as evidenced by his amazing 17 goals and six assists for the Red Devils so far this season.
Rashford’s improved play earned him a spot in the England World Cup squad for 2022, and the Three Lions hero scored three goals in Qatar. Recently, PSG has been mentioned in connection with the England international, and United is eager to extend Rashford’s deal past 2024. Rashford, who has scored for United in each of his previous nine games, is regularly seen putting his index finger to his head after scoring.
Who does the Marcus Rashford point finger to head goal celebration belong to and its origin explanationย
Who has done the celebration?
Bukayo Saka, a young Arsenal player, was spotted celebrating the same way as Rashford after scoring in the Gunners’ thrilling 3-2 victory over United over the weekend. Joelinton of Newcastle and Joshua Kimmich of Bayern Munich have both appeared to model their celebrations after Rashford’s.
Was Marcus Rashford the first to start the celebration?
The answer is straight no. Nicklas Bendtner, a former striker for Arsenal, first started the trend. Even France international Aurelien Tchouameni proved Rashford wasn’t the first to perform the celebration. When France defeated England in the quarterfinals in Qatar at the World Cup, the 22-year-old Real Madrid prodigy had his finger pointed to his temple.
Even Joshua Kimmich of Bayern Munich does the same celebration after he scores every time. Itโs just that Rashford has been more consistent in scoring goals, but he is not the first person to do it, and it is not his celebration.
NEITHER KIMMICH OR DJOKOVIC KNOW THIS GUY HE'S AT IT AGAIN ๐ญ pic.twitter.com/HQKjaKO6TV
— esther ๐ฉ๐ช (@KimmichEra) January 29, 2023
Kimmich about to wake up to a guy who he doesnโt follow trying to claim his celebration ๐ญ pic.twitter.com/dI8lfnNgaj
— ๐ (@Lhastim3) January 26, 2023
Happy 23rd bithday, @atchouameni ๐ฅณ pic.twitter.com/0NVqEnjo35
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) January 27, 2023
I like Rashford, but surely he doesnโt actually think Kimmich, Djokovic and co are doing that celebration because of him?
— Max. โ๐ผ (@AFCMax9) January 29, 2023
Rashford claimed Djokovicโs iconic celebration as his own.
Marcus Rashford tagged Novak Djokovic on Instagram with a GOAT emoji after the former thought that the tennis player imitated his celebration. Along with Rafael Nadal, Djokovic now has the most major men’s singles titles in history after winning the Australian Open on Sunday.
Rashford thought his current celebration of choice, the finger to the head, was used by the 35-year-old after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets but, again Djokovic has been doing the same celebration for years now.
๐๐๐๐ pic.twitter.com/k1cSVuSyUP
— george (@StokeyyG2) January 29, 2023
What the new celebration is all about?
Regardless of who started the celebration initially, the real significance of Rashford’s celebration is still a mystery. The pointing to his head is thought to have something to do with his improvement in mental health following his problems in the 2021โ22 season.
Rashford has not officially stated the reason for his celebration, but it is assumed to be connected to his mental health. The striker has publicly acknowledged that last season, he wasn’t always “in the right headspace,” and he’s attributed his turnaround in form to his mental health.