Paris Saint-Germain advanced to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League after a thrilling comeback win over Borussia Dortmund in the Round of 16.
During the match against Dortmund, Neymar Jr. mocked Erling Haaland’s “zen” goal celebration and after the game, the entire team took part.
🧘♂️🧘♂️🧘♂️…and breathe
💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/CGijCM0ct8
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) March 11, 2020
This act led to plenty of criticism from neutral supporters as they came to Haaland’s defense. People were lashing out at Les Parisians for mocking a “kid.”
Erling Haaland, a 19yo bloke from a Norwegian placed called "Jæren", is making world elite superstars Neymar and Mbappe and the rest of the PSG team imitate his celebration.
This kid is literally gargantuan.
— Fredrik (@F_Edits) March 12, 2020
Despite Dortmund initiating the banter, it was PSG that many went after. Regardless, the German club’s talking over the two-leg matchup was enough to motivate Les Parisiens, resulting in a 3-2 aggregate win for PSG.
Nonetheless, on BT Sport (via ParisFans), the 19-year-old gave his thoughts when he saw the Ligue 1 champions imitating his goal celebration.
“It annoyed me that we were getting out of the Champions League. But on the celebration, I’m glad they did it, I don’t mind at all, to be honest,” Haaland said.
If the teenager can take the banter on the chin, it makes the overreaction from those on social media look silly especially considering Haaland was more upset at being eliminated than the celebration. Perhaps he understands that talking smack can come back to haunt someone if they fail to back up their words.
Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.
