USMNT’s Folarin Balogun Refuses to Celebrate Goal for Monaco Against Former Club Reims

Folarin Balogun scored a key goal for Monaco, but decided against celebrating in classy move.

22-year-old American soccer player Folarin Balogun scored a key goal for Monaco against his former club Reims on Saturday.

Just seconds into the second half, Balogun found the back of the net. But rather than sprint into elation, Balogun lifted his hands and softly gestured to the crowd, refusing to celebrate.

The move was a show of sportsmanship and respect to his former club. Before joining Monaco, Balogun had spent last season out to Reims on loan from Arsenal, and scored 22 goals in 39 appearances for the club.

Folarin Balogun scores his third goal since joining Monaco then refuses to celebrate against his former club Reims 🙅‍♂️

(via @ESbeINSPORTS) pic.twitter.com/t4zOspjv4Y

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 7, 2023

The goal was Balogun’s third of the Ligue 1 season, and Monaco would go on to win the match 3–1.