sport news Did Bruno Guimaraes injure himself and why are so many players obsessed with ... trends now

sport news Did Bruno Guimaraes injure himself and why are so many players obsessed with ... trends now
sport news Did Bruno Guimaraes injure himself and why are so many players obsessed with ... trends now

sport news Did Bruno Guimaraes injure himself and why are so many players obsessed with ... trends now

It's the flamboyant goal celebration many players love, despite the inherent risk of serious injury or embarrassment. The knee slide.

Bruno Fernandes became the latest Premier League star to perform it at Old Trafford on Sunday after scoring an outrageous goal for Manchester United from the centre-circle in a 2-2 draw with Liverpool.

Racing away towards the corner flag, Fernandes left two tramlines in the pristine turf as he slid for several yards on his knees and then got back to his feet in one smooth motion. Eight out of 10.

A day earlier, Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes appeared to jar his right knee as he attempted and failed to slide, leaping up with what appeared to be a grimace toward the joyous travelling support after scoring in a 1-0 win at Fulham. Four out of ten. Must try harder. Or, might be a better idea, don't try it at all. Ouch.

But why do players do it? When did it start? And is it really advisable for multi-million footballers to be jeopardising their knee joints in this way?

Bruno Fernandes celebrated his stunning goal against Liverpool on Sunday with a knee slide

Bruno Fernandes celebrated his stunning goal against Liverpool on Sunday with a knee slide

It's the flamboyant celebration many players love, despite the risk of injury or embarrassment

It's the flamboyant celebration many players love, despite the risk of injury or embarrassment

On Saturday Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes appeared to jar his right knee as he attempted and failed to slide, leaping up with an apparent grimace after netting the winner against Fulham

Like kids who can't resist skidding on a patch of ice, the temptation seems to be too much - particularly when the finely manicured pitches have been heavily watered or drenched by rain, as was the case at Old Trafford.

'I just can't control myself,' Liverpool's new signing Marko Grujic said in 2016 after knee sliding to celebrate a goal for Jurgen Klopp's side on his debut against, er, Fleetwood Town.

In November, Manchester City cheekily posted a video montage on social media with the message 'every City knee slide at Old Trafford this season', showing Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Lauren Hemp, Phil Foden and Khadija Shaw celebrating their goals against United.

It even has its own science. When Lewis Hall scored in Newcastle's Carabao Cup win over United at Old Trafford in November, his slide was measured at an impressive 8.71 yards.

Meanwhile, on local pitches all around the country every weekend, young boys and girls are whizzing around on their knees in homage to their heroes.

Jairzinho is credited with pioneering the celebration in the 1970 World Cup final after scoring Brazil's third goal in a 4-1 win over Italy at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico, although look at the footage and he sinks to his knees in prayer rather than attempting to gain any distance.

Still, back in the 70s it would have been unwise for an English player to slide on any pitch except Wembley. The surfaces were so heavy, you would have struggled to cut through them with a tractor never mind a pair of knees.

Indeed, it's hard to imagine groundsmen these days being overjoyed at seeing their precious turf carved up in such a needless way.

But why do players do it? When did it start? And is it really an advisable thing to be doing?

But why do players do it? When did it start? And is it really an advisable thing to be doing?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's knee slide after scoring the in the 1999 Champions League final is perhaps the most iconic one, but he later confirmed he ‘tweaked’ his medial ligament

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's knee slide after scoring the in the 1999 Champions League final is perhaps the most iconic one, but he later confirmed he 'tweaked' his medial ligament

The peculiar practice didn't really take off until the 1990s when pitches improved dramatically and perhaps players felt more inclined to perform for the cameras at the advent of the new Premier League.

Thierry Henry was so accomplished at the celebration that his statue at the Emirates immortalises the Frenchman on his knees, head bowed and fists clenched by his sides after scoring a sensational goal for Arsenal in the north London derby at Tottenham in 2002.

Former Arsenal man, Emmanuel Adebayor, almost started a riot at the Etihad seven years later when he raced the length of the field to slide in front of the away fans after scoring for Manchester City.

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