D.C. United superstar Christian Benteke has revealed that his iconic 'silencer' celebration is inspired by Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.
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Benteke has six goals for DCU this seasonReveals how LeBron James inspired his celebrationImpressed by LA Lakers star's work ethicGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowWHAT HAPPENED?
Speaking as a guest on MLS' ExtraTime radio show, the D.C. United striker was tell-all on the influence that the Los Angeles Lakers star has had on him. The former Premier League striker revealed that the 'work ethic' of James was one of his biggest influences.
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The Belgian has been on fire in 2024, scoring six goals in six appearances for the Eastern Conference club. He even opened his 2024 campaign with a hat-trick against the New England Revolution. Now, nearly two months into the campaign, his iconic 'silencer' celebration now has an origin: Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.
WHAT BENTEKE SAID
“It comes from him,” Benteke said on Extratime Radio on MLSSoccer.Com. “Since I got into the basketball world, I've always been inspired by him. Me, as a footballer, you have players that you look up to. But then I was trying to look to a different sport and basketball was the closest to football. Then LeBron, you can't go wrong by choosing him. “It's work ethic, it's discipline about his work. We all know the great athlete that he is, but for me, it's more everything that he does to be so great.”
USA Today Sports WHAT NEXT FOR BENTEKE AND D.C. UNITED?
Benteke and D.C. are back in action on Saturday when they take on NYCFC in an Eastern Conference clash. Benteke will look to build on his tremendous goalscoring campaign when the aim for their third win of the campaign.