Franck Kessie’s military salute celebration honors his late father
Franck Kessie gave Ivory Coast the lead against Germany in the 30th minute of their second Group 5 match on Saturday night, after his team set out to shock the Germans. After scoring, he celebrated with a military-style salute, a gesture he has used before.
Kessie’s salute is a tribute to his father, who served in the Ivory Coast army and later died of illness. In a past account of his personal story, Kessie said, "My father was a footballer. He died of an illness after joining the army, I was only 11 then. Every time I make a military gesture, it is in his memory."
The match was part of the 2026 World Cup, and the celebration once again drew attention to the meaning behind one of Kessie’s signature goal celebrations.
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