Just because Cristiano Ronaldo pulls it off, doesn’t mean you can and that is exactly what Serbia’s Aleksa Terzic discovered.
After scoring a dramatic late equaliser in a Nations League clash against Switzerland, the 25-year-old wanted to sign off his crowning moment with the iconic Ronaldo ‘siuu’ celebration.
It involves running to the corner, leaping into the air and spinning around before landing and throwing both arms down for dramatic effect.
Only Terzic’s excitement saw him miscalculate the celebration and he was left in a heap fearing injury when his legs buckled on the landing.
The RB Salzburg star winced in pain as he was mobbed by team-mates in a botched celebration that suggests some things are best left to their creators.
While he gingerly got back to his feet to quell fears over potential injury, his manager Dragan Stojkovic took him off straight away, a touch unimpressed by the over-zealous celebration.
Serbia’s saviour Aleksa Terzic (right) copied Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic celebration
He mistimed his jump, however, and ended up in a heap on the floor amid fears of an injury
Ronaldo’s ‘siuuu’ celebration (pictured) has been synonymous with his career in recent years
‘I dreamed of a goal like this,’ Terzic told TV Arena Sport.
‘I gave my best to help the team. When we all give our best, everything comes back in the end. My dream has come true, as long as there are no injuries!’
The botched celebration was at least something players could joke about, especially that Terzic got the dramatic late intervention on his national team debut.
‘We often joked to that effect when we were together at Fiorentina,’ striker Dusan Vlahovic revealed when asked about the celebration at the end.
‘On the bus on the way to the stadium, he told me: “I assist you, you score a goal and it’s our celebration”. By chance, we switched roles and everything worked out perfect.
‘I’m very glad that we got the opportunity to show our joy in the national team.
‘First of all, I’m happy for Aleksa and I congratulate him on his debut in the national team.’
Ronaldo is one of the game’s greatest ever players and no doubt seeing young players mimic his celebration will come with a wry smile.
Ronaldo is approaching 40 years old and knows the baton is soon to be passed to youngsters
Over the weekend Ronaldo hinted at retirement once again following his latest brace for Portugal.
Ronaldo, 39, is one of the greatest footballers to ever play the game, with the Portuguese superstar having scored over 900 career goals. The forward has represented Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr in an illustrious career that dates back to 2002.
Ronaldo – who has also won the Ballon d’Or five times – took his international goal tally to 135 in 215 appearances with a brace during Portugal’s 5-1 win over Poland in the Nations League on Friday.
He insisted afterwards his focus remains on football, with retirement depending on his motivation levels as he approaches 40.
‘I just want to enjoy [myself],’ Ronaldo said. ‘Plan for retirement? If it has to happen, in one or two years… I don’t know. I’m turning 40 soon.’