Iheanacho explains the meaning behind the chef's hat in his goal celebration

Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho drew attention with a celebration in which he put on a chef's hat after scoring. Many people wondered why he did it. The player has now told the emotional story behind the celebration for the first time.

Iheanacho said one of the club's chefs had passed away. He related that before the match, he told this person that if he scored, he would dedicate the goal to them and pray for them. When he scored in the way he had promised, he did not forget.

After the goal, he said, he took off the hat, sat down on the ground and prayed for the chef's soul. So a brief celebration turned into a moment of remembrance and farewell.

The explanation showed that the celebration on the pitch was rooted in a close bond formed within the club. The simple and respectful way the player chose stood out as a warm way of remembering someone who had lost a loved one.