Yasin Ayari and Declan Rice do not celebrate goals against homeland
The Guardian Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 24, 2026, 7:00 AM
Last updated Jun 24, 2026
Yasin Ayari of Sweden recently chose not to celebrate his first international goal against Tunisia, reflecting his connection to his father's homeland. Similarly, Declan Rice refrained from celebrating after scoring against the Republic of Ireland in 2024. These instances highlight occasions when players opt for restraint due to personal or cultural ties with opposition teams. The conversation raises questions about earlier examples of similar behaviors among footballers.
- •Yasin Ayari scored against Tunisia but did not celebrate.
- •Declan Rice scored against the Republic of Ireland in 2024 without celebrating.
- •Breel Embolo previously did not celebrate against Cameroon in the 2022 World Cup.
- 7:00 AMThe Guardian Sport — Which footballers have refused to celebrate a goal against another country? | The Knowledge
"Plus: is Dick Advocaat unique among coaches, long waits between World Cups and Dave Beasant revisionism Mail us with your all of your questions and answers “Sweden’s Yasin Ayari has a Tunisian father and chose not to celebrate his first goal against Tunisia (he couldn’t resist celebrating when he scored later, though). Declan Rice did something similar after scoring against the Republic of Ireland in 2024, but what is the earliest example of a player not celebrating a goal at international level because of a connection to the opposition?” asks Michael Pilcher. “I remember Breel Embolo, the Swiss international born in Cameroon, not celebrating after scoring against Cameroon at the 2022 World Cup,” replies Filippo Varanini. Continue reading...
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