US Soccer Star Florent Balogun Celebrates World Cup Goal with LeBron James' Signature Gesture
Florent Balogun has delivered an outstanding performance for the United States at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. On the night between July 1 and 2, Balogun scored his third goal of the tournament during the round of 32 match against Bosnia in Santa Clara, giving the US team the lead. This achievement makes him the first American player to reach three goals in a World Cup since Landon Donovan in 2010.
Earlier in the match, Balogun had a goal disallowed for offside, but he made up for it with a celebrated strike. After scoring, he performed the "silencer" celebration, a gesture popularized by his NBA idol LeBron James. LeBron responded enthusiastically on Twitter, posting a message filled with emojis: "Let's go guys. The silencer has landed at the World Cup. Amazing goal, young star. Go USA."
Balogun's performance and his connection with LeBron James have captured attention, highlighting the crossover between soccer and basketball fandom in the United States during this World Cup.
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