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Much has been made of some of the goal celebrations seen over the weekend, but none were as touching as the one performed by Hertha Berlin player Anis Ben-Hatira.
On Sunday, Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney took the opportunity to make light of a video that showed him being knocked out by Sunderland player Phil Bardsley during an impromptu boxing bout in his kitchen. Meanwhile in Spain, Gareth Bale celebrated a double for Real Madrid by covering his ears to signify he wasn't listening to the recent barrage of criticism aimed in his direction.
But it was the opening goal scored in the Bundesliga meeting between Hertha Berlin and Schalke that perhaps deserved the most attention.
After scoring in the 21st minute, Anis Ben-Hatira marked his return to action following injury by running to the sidelines where he grabbed a Spiderman mask.
Whilst the wearing of masks has been seen on football pitches many times before, the back story is much more moving than the average tale.
Show all 44 1 /44The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Wayne Rooney Just hours before Manchester United played Tottenham, Wayne Rooney appeared on the front page of the Sun on Sunday, 'knocked out' on his kitchen floor after a friendly boxing match with former team-mate Phil Bardsley. Rooney responded by feigning another knockout after putting his side 3-0 up against rivals Spurs.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Anthony Ujah In a moment of madness, Cologne striker Anthony Ujah allowed a goal celebration to get the better of him as he raced over to the club's poor mascot, Hennes the goat, and grabbed him by the horns - the goat was petrified. Ujah apologised days later by visiting Hennes and feeding him carrots.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang After scoring Borussia Dortmund's second goal against Bayern Munich to ensure victory in the German Super Cup, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrated in a rather 'comic' way. He pulled out a Spiderman mask in celebration before being immediately replaced – presumably so he could head out and tackle crime on the streets of Germany.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Aubameyang and Marco Reus Such was the skill of their one-two punch that Aubameyang ditched his Spiderman outfit so he could incorporate a sidekick... Marco Reus became Robin to his Dortmund team-mate's Batman.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Francesco Totti The Roma legend began his career before smartphones, 'selfies' and social media were invented. But at 38, and in his final season of football, the Italian showed he wasn't past it by rescuing his club with a late goal in the derby against Lazio, before getting out his phone and capturing the moment. He even managed to pull off a 'duck face' pout.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Zlatan Ibrahimovic The PSG striker showed his charitable side by removing his shirt to show he had the names of 50 people suffering from starvation temporarily tattooed on him to highlight awareness for the World Food Programme – his manager, Laurent Blanc, wasn’t best pleased though as the forward received a booking for his gesture
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations James Rodriguez / Colombia One of the most memorable scenes from a brilliant World Cup in Brazil was the sight of the Colombia team celebrating a goal. James Rodriguez's side tended to mark a goal by grouping together and having a dance. With the players kicking their legs in sync, it was clear they had been practising.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Miguel Herrera He might not have scored himself, but the celebrations of Miguel Herrera are more than worthy of inclusion. As his Mexico team beat Croatia 3-1 to book their place in the knock-out phase the manager couldn't contain himself. Jumping up and down, grabbing anyone in sight and simply looking like the happiest man alive made Herrera an internet sensation.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Graeme Souness Who can forget this? The Scot nearly sparked a riot in Instanbul when he raced to the centre-circle with a giant Galatasaray flag at the home of fierce rivals Fenerbahce, after beating them in the Turkish Cup final. The image even drew comparisons with the fames siege of Constantinople in medieval times, earning Souness the nickname Ulubatli, after the Ottoman hero Ulubatli Hasan.
The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations David Meyler Having been head-butted by Newcastle manager Alan Pardew in one of the most bizarre incidents ever seen in English football, Hull midfielder David Meyler took the opportunity to make light of the situation. After scoring in a 3-0 FA Cup victory over Sunderland, the midfielder headed for the corner flag before head-butting it. Whereas Pardew faced a lengthy ban, Meyler deserves a pat on the back.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Samuel Eto’o When Jose Mourinho was secretly recorded talking to a businessman about his strikers, he quipped that Samuel Eto'o might be older than officially thought. It seemed like the kind of incident that could cause a rift between the Chelsea pair, but the former Barcelona player made light of the situation, using the corner flag to help prop himself up after scoring in a 4-0 win over Spurs.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Thierry Henry Known for scorching along touchlines in jubilation at yet another strike, at the New York Red Bulls, the former Arsenal and Barcelona star has taken to simply propping himself up against the post, hand on hip.
The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Luis Suarez After Luis Suarez's cross was deflected into the goal by Leighton Baines, he made a bee-line towards then Everton manager David Moyes before tumbling to the floor in front of him. The celebration was in light of Moyes claiming the Liverpool striker was a diver prior to the Merseyside derby.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Stjarnan FC The Icelandic club are renowned for their brilliantly inventive celebrations - including the human toilet and the bicycle - but this one was the best. A player sends out a fishing line to which he team-mate shuffles his way over - the fisherman then poses with his catch and a picture is taken.
The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Hideoteshi Wakui We don't often see highlights from the Etonian Premier League on the British Isles, but this was a must see. The Japanese midfielder had given Nomme Kalju the lead before his team-mates lined up and he skittled them for a perfect strike.
The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Mario Balotelli Reports of firemen being called to the home of the Manchester City striker after fireworks were set off in his bathroom was just the latest episode in the Mario Balotelli soap opera. He would then roll in the first goal during City’s astonishing 6-1 victory at Old Trafford, before revealing the now infamous ‘Why Always Me?’ T-shirt
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Neymar The Brazilian wonder kid Neymar scored a brilliant solo effort for Santos in a Copa Libertadores match against Colo Colo that finished 3-2. He jinked through the defence before chipping past the goalkeeper to put Santos 3-0 up. A mask, of himself, was then handed to him from the crowd, which he put on with the face turned upside-down. The referee didn't see the funny side and showed the striker his second yellow card.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Mirko Vucinic The Roma striker placed his shorts on his head to celebrate Montenegro's winning goal against Switzerland.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Diego Forlan The Uruguayan had waited a long time for his first goal in Manchester United colours and when he smashed one in past Southampton he went beserk. So taken was Forlan that after ripping off his shirt he struggled to get it back on, leading to comical scenes as he ran around topless for a good 20 seconds. Removing your shirt in celebration became a bookable offence thereafter.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Marco Tardelli Has there ever been a more emotional celebration than the one performed by Tardelli after he had put Italy 2-0 up in the 1982 World Cup final? Probably not.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Nicolas Anelka Nicolas Anelka, not one to shy away from controversy, caused a bit of a stir with his 'handcuffs' gesture after scoring for Chelsea against MSK Zilina in the Champions League. The striker was apparently sending a message to the French Football Federation, who banned him for 18 games because of his role in the World Cup mutiny.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Nicolas Anelka Anelka was at in again, this time while playing for West Brom. The Frenchman performed the 'quenelle' - something most consider to be an anti-semitic gesture - and was later handed a five-game ban, fined £80,000 and ordered to sit an education course
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Robbie Keane Completely naff, but Keane's cartwheel-roly poly-gun fingers celebration has become his trademark. It's rubbish but reminds us of simpler times.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations David Norris Anelka is not the first player to use the handcuffs gesture, but the former Chelsea striker's actions are unlikely to receive the attention that David Norris did in 2008. The then Ipswich midfielder's actions appeared to be a show of support for Luke McCormick, a former Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper serving a seven-year sentence after admitting responsibility for the deaths of Arron Peak, 10, and his brother Ben, eight in a road crash. Former Everton midfielder Tim Cahill also used the handcuffs gesture to show solidarity to his brother Sean, who was jailed for six-years after kicking a man during a fight. The Australian later apologised if he had caused any offence.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Carlos Tevez During the Carling Cup semi-final first-leg a few seasons ago, Carlos Tevez silenced the Manchester United fans, and then set about infuriating them. To celebrate his second goal the little Argentinean cupped his ears in the direction of the fans. The celebration was a re-enactment of one he performed when a United player at Old Trafford, which was designed to ask those in charge why they wouldn't sign him on a full-time basis, something which clearly upset the striker.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Emmanuel Adebayor Former Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor was handed a suspended two-match ban and a £25,000 fine by the FA following his goal celebration in front of Arsenal fans. The Togo striker sprinted a full 90 yards before sliding on his knees in front of the supporters of his former club.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Tim Cahill The Everton and Australian midfielder sparked huge controversy when he did his 'handcuffs' gesture after scoring against Portsmouth in 2008. Cahill's brother Sean had been jailed for six years after kicking a man during a fight. Cahill later apologised for what the Police called a "grossly irresponsible" gesture.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Jurgen Klinsmann When Jurgen Klinsmann signed for Tottenham Hotspur in 1994, he arrived with a reputation as a diver. Added to the fact he was a part of the Germany side that knocked England out of the 1990 World Cup - he didn't get a great reception on touching down in England. He answered his critics in emphatic style, diving across the pitch to celebrate his first goal for Spurs. He endeared himself to English football fans and went on to win the 1995 Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Gary Neville Similar to the Adebayor incident, although Gary Neville didn't run quite so fast. After a late winner from Rio Ferdinand against Liverpool at Old Trafford, the full-back (never a favourite with Scousers) ran to the opposition fans clutching his badge in celebration. No disrespect to Liverpool was intended. Of course not.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Robbie Fowler During his time at Liverpool, Robbie Fowler caused uproar after responding to taunts from Everton fans by mimicking cocaine sniffing on the touchline after scoring in the Merseyside derby. During the post-match press conference, then Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier claimed his player had been pretending to eat the grass. Fowler was handed a four-match ban. Two years earlier Fowler had been in trouble for a celebration when after scoring against Norwegian team Brann Bergen he lifted up his shirt to reveal a t-shirt supported sacked Liverpool dockers. He was fined 2,000 Swiss Francs by Uefa who stated their regulations prohibit players from displaying political logos at matches.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Peter Crouch Crouch proved being tall and wiry was no bar to 'throwing some shapes' with his robot dance celebration after scoring against Hungary. The Stoke striker has been mocked for it ever since.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Paulo Di Canio Maybe he was just trying to win over the fans, but when Paulo Di Canio performed a fascist salute to the far right element of Lazio's supporters, the former West Ham striker was lambasted, with Fifa president Sepp Blatter going as far as to suggest it warranted a lifetime ban. Paulo did his best to clear it up by making clear: 'I am a fascist, not a racist.' It was an action that came back to haunt him when he was appointed manager of Sunderland.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Temuri Ketsbaia No-one could have predicted how substitute Temuri Ketsbaia would respond to his last-gasp winner for Newcastle United against Bolton in 1998. The Georgian - apparently frustrated at being left out of the starting XI - tore off his shirt and began kicking the advertising hoardings in one of the most aggressive celebrations ever seen.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Bebeto Bebeto's famous 'rocking baby' celebration at the 1994 World Cup has been imitated by footballer's the world over. During Brazil's ultimately successful tournament in the US, Bebeto performed the celebration to mark the arrival of his third child, who was delivered just a few days before.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Diego Maradona Diego Maradona produced a manic celebration after scoring the third goal for Argentina against Greece in the 1994 World Cup. The pint sized striker ran towards a television camera, eyes bulging, screaming like a man possessed. His state of mind aroused suspicions and he was later sent home after testing positive for drugs.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Paul Gascoigne Going into Euro 96, England had been criticised for their drinking antics on a far-east trip, with pictures of players having alcohol poured down their throats in a 'dentist's chair'. After scoring the goal of the tournament, Paul Gascoigne could not resist re-enacting the infamous night.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Stuart Pearce We all know the story by now. Pearce had missed a penalty in the 1990 World Cup semi-final defeat against Germany and had to wait six years for redemption. He got in the quarter-finals vs Spain, smashing home to help England into another semi against Germany. The less said about that the better.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Roger Milla Perhaps the most famous celebration of all-time was performed by Cameroon international Roger Milla. At the age of 38, he lit up the 1990 World Cup with his four goals which were celebrated by running to the corner flag and performing a little jig.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Paul Merson In another drink related goal celebration, Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson famously pretended to down pints of lager during his battle with alcohol in the early 1990s.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Craig Bellamy Another player on this list not shy of controversy is Craig Bellamy. During his time at Liverpool, rumours emerged of a fight with John Arne Riise, in which Bellamy apparently threatened his team-mate with a golf club. In the following match after the details emerged, Bellamy scored against Barcelona at the Nou Camp and would celebrate the goal by pretending to take a golf swing.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Jimmy Bullard Former Hull City joker Jimmy Bullard was a shoe-in for goal celebration of the season when he celebrated his equaliser against Manchester City by sitting the other players down in a circle and giving them a good talking to. The celebration was a re-enactment of the previous season's fixture at Eastlands when a furious Phil Brown gave his team-talk on the pitch. 'It was a fantastic celebration,' said Brown. 'Great comedy is about timing. You could not have had a celebration like that, after a goal, unless it was at Eastlands and was in the goal in front of the Hull fans.'
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Paul Tait The Auto Windscreens Shield final was never the highlight of the sporting calendar, but in 1995, Paul Tait did his best to liven up affairs. When the Birmingham player scored he lifted his shirt to reveal a t-shirt with a somewhat unsubtle gesture. Aimed at local rivals Aston Villa, the t-shirt read: 'S*** on the Villa'.
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The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Wayne Rooney And to finish off, England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney ended up with a two-match ban after he celebrated the completion of a hat-trick against West Ham by delivering an aggressive and foul-mouthed tirade down the Sky Sports camera lens.
The best, most controversial and bizarre goal celebrations Dom Dwyer The Sporting Kansas City striker picked up a mobile phone from a member of staff and ran over towards the fans to take a selfie which earned him a booking, and of course a place in this gallery.
Tunisia international Ben-Hatira wore the mask to show his support for an eight-year-old boy battling cancer.
Ben-Hatira met Jannik in October after which the footballer made a promise to support the youngster.
Then, ahead of the match on Saturday, Ben-Hatira gave an update on Jannick's improving condition and asked him for a favour in return.
"Hi guys, a few month ago I introduced you to my friend Jannik. Jannik got hit by his fortune in a really bad way and he is fighting against cancer. Even thought he is a little man - he fights like Superman against his illness. Jannik puts bravery on another level and I am totally impressed by his will and strength. It was a very hard time and Jannik and his whole family suffered a lot. I tried my very best to be always on his side and luckily we can say now: there seems to be progress. As a sign of my admiration I asked Jannik if he would do me a favor within the next weeks. I would love to enter the Olympic Stadium on his side! His braveness will be an example for all of us. Jannik, you are my little superhero! I am blessed to be part of the moment when you enter the stage again!"
After scoring in the 2-2 draw with Schalke, Ben-Hatira was able to acknowledge the "little superhero" who was in the stands at the Olympic Stadium to watch the celebration.
After the match, Jannick also came onto the pitch where the Hertha Berlins gave the eight-year-old a heart-warming ovation.
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