Owen Sanders
Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz found himself on the receiving end of some playful social media banter from Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand after his unorthodox goal celebration in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat. But the Brazilian midfielder remained unfazed, offering a lighthearted explanation rooted in his national pride.
Luiz’s goal, a close-range tap-in, had brought Villa level after falling behind early to Rasmus Hojlund’s opener. Following the strike, he surprised fans with a unique chest-shimmy dance in front of the Holte End faithful. This caught the attention of Ferdinand, who posted a picture of the celebration on X alongside the caption: “U ok @dgoficial?” followed by laughing emojis.
Undeterred, Luiz responded the next day with a simple explanation: “I’m good, thanks. It’s just carnival time in Brazil,” he wrote, adding the Brazilian flag emoji.
I’m good, thanks
it’s just carnaval time in Brazil 🇧🇷 https://t.co/ncErg0oMV2— Douglas Luiz (@dgoficial) February 12, 2024
While the Samba-inspired celebration might have garnered more attention than expected, it ultimately overshadowed Villa’s spirited comeback attempt. Scott McTominay’s late header dashed their hopes of victory, leaving Luiz’s joyous dance a bittersweet memory.
Despite the defeat, Luiz’s response to Ferdinand showcased his good-natured personality and cultural connection. Whether the “carnaval excuse” holds water entirely is debatable, but his lighthearted explanation provided a welcome dose of humor amidst the disappointment.
Ultimately, while the celebration might have been short-lived joy, it highlighted Luiz’s passion and enthusiasm, something Villa fans will need to see channeled positively as they seek to bounce back from the defeat.
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