Romelu Lukaku unveiled a controversial new goal celebration during a game against Feyenoord and it was a message to DR Congo, the country of his family origin.
What happened?
The former Manchester United striker found the net with a glancing header on Thursday's 1-1 draw, the first leg of the UEFA Europa League play-off in Rotterdam.
The Belgian International made a different gesture compared to his usual military salute where he used to put a finger to his lips in silence.
This time, Lukaku seemed to mime pointing a gun to his head and holding a whole hand across his mouth.
However, according to comments from reporters after the match, this was a reference to the growing unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The former Inter Milan player with a Congolese mother launched his message via his social media page at the end of the match against Feyenoord.
The striker posted a photo of his celebration after the goal against the Dutch club side with a caption; "Free Congo Dr. Stop The Genocide".
His goal celebration was a repeated gesture DR Congo players made during the just concluded African Cup of Nations.
Lukaku was born and raised in Belgium, but his family roots are in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Feyenoord vs Roma in brief
Romelu Lukaku’s second-half equalizer ensured that AS Roma escaped a setback with a hard-earned 1-1 draw ahead of next week’s UEFA Europa League play-off second leg against Feyenoord in Rome.
Feyenoord threw everything at the Italian visitors in a breathless first half that saw chances come at both ends, with the hosts taking the lead on the brink of half-time thanks to an excellent header from Igor Paixao.
The Dutch hosts deserved their lead on the balance of play, but Roma tightened up after the break and grabbed the equalizer off the shoulder of Lukaku to deny Feyenoord the home-leg advantage that they tried so hard to acquire.
What's next?
Roma will shift attention to their fixture against Frosinone in the Italian Seria A on Sunday, February 18, Feyenoord, on the other hand, will be getting ready for their next clash against RKC Waalwijk on Sunday at 16:45 (GMT).
What happened?
The former Manchester United striker found the net with a glancing header on Thursday's 1-1 draw, the first leg of the UEFA Europa League play-off in Rotterdam.
The Belgian International made a different gesture compared to his usual military salute where he used to put a finger to his lips in silence.
This time, Lukaku seemed to mime pointing a gun to his head and holding a whole hand across his mouth.
However, according to comments from reporters after the match, this was a reference to the growing unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The former Inter Milan player with a Congolese mother launched his message via his social media page at the end of the match against Feyenoord.
The striker posted a photo of his celebration after the goal against the Dutch club side with a caption; "Free Congo Dr. Stop The Genocide".
His goal celebration was a repeated gesture DR Congo players made during the just concluded African Cup of Nations.
Lukaku was born and raised in Belgium, but his family roots are in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Feyenoord vs Roma in brief
Romelu Lukaku’s second-half equalizer ensured that AS Roma escaped a setback with a hard-earned 1-1 draw ahead of next week’s UEFA Europa League play-off second leg against Feyenoord in Rome.
Feyenoord threw everything at the Italian visitors in a breathless first half that saw chances come at both ends, with the hosts taking the lead on the brink of half-time thanks to an excellent header from Igor Paixao.
The Dutch hosts deserved their lead on the balance of play, but Roma tightened up after the break and grabbed the equalizer off the shoulder of Lukaku to deny Feyenoord the home-leg advantage that they tried so hard to acquire.
What's next?
Roma will shift attention to their fixture against Frosinone in the Italian Seria A on Sunday, February 18, Feyenoord, on the other hand, will be getting ready for their next clash against RKC Waalwijk on Sunday at 16:45 (GMT).