Valentine's Day: kisses and Love from UEFA.com
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
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With a nod to the game's incurable romantics, UEFA.com deciphers the meanings of some kissy celebrations, and selects our Valentine's Day five-a-side dream team.
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Whenever Luis Suárez scores a goal, he kisses his hand or his wrist – kissing his ring finger is a romantic salute to childhood sweetheart Sofia Balbi, while a kiss of the wrist is a dedication to daughter Delfina.
Gareth Bale also has a goal celebration gesture dedicated to his childhood sweetheart, Emma Rhys-Jones, with whom he had daughter Alba Violet in 2012. Bale has also reportedly had the gesture trademarked, which could be bad news for ...
... Ángel Di María and ...
... Arturo Vidal
Raúl González kissed his ring finger (which is on the right hand in Spain) every time he scored in honour of his wife, Mamen Sanz.
Arsenal playmaker Mesut Özil's celebration combines a thumb-suck and a letter 'M' – a tribute to his niece, Mira.
And an honourable mention to some players with romantic names too. Our ultimate romantic five-a-side team: Joe Hart, Danny Rose, Fernando Amorebieta, Zoltán Kiss, Vágner Love.