A stroke of genius! Michail Antonio lights up the internet with his swimming celebration after scoring for West Ham against Burnley...and reveals it stems from a forfeit to Declan Rice over Call of Duty

  • Michail Antonio performed a swimming backstroke in celebration of his goal
  • The striker scored his first goal for three months in West Ham's win over Burnley 
  • Antonio, 30, said the idea came from a forfeit he did for team-mate Declan Rice 

West Ham striker Michail Antonio found a novel way to celebrate his first goal in three months.

Having struck home from close range in the Hammers' 1-0 win over Burnley, Antonio ran away from his team-mates down the touchline and promptly dropped to the floor and performed a swimming backstroke on the slick turf at the London Stadium.

The move was immediately appreciated by his fellow Hammers, who were falling about laughing at Antonio's shenanigans. 


A smirking Michail Antonio roared in celebration after putting West Ham into the lead

A smirking Michail Antonio roared in celebration after putting West Ham into the lead

West Ham's Michail Antonio had unique, socially distanced celebration for goal on Saturday

Antonio had a unique, socially distanced swimming celebration for his goal against Burnley

It was Antonio's first goal for West Ham for three months as the striker returned from injury

It was Antonio's first goal for West Ham for three months as the striker returned from injury

The 30-year-old then revealed where the idea came from after the match, and put the blame on his friend and team-mate Declan Rice. 

'Me and Declan (Rice) play the game Call of Duty mobile, the loser had to do a forfeit but it worked out as a decent celebration to be fair, I’ve seen it back and I like it,' Antonio explained.

He is also hoping that it is the start of many goal celebrations now he is fit again. 

'As the No. 9 now I’m the person who is meant to be scoring the goals, so now I’m back, expect it.'  

Despite Antonio's efforts to socially distance from his team-mates during his celebration, however, several of them embraced him once he got back to his feet, likely adding to the furore around players celebrating goals by hugging each other.  

Antonio was soon mobbed by his fellow West Ham stars after making the perfect start

Antonio was soon mobbed by his fellow West Ham stars after making the perfect start

However, his West Ham team-mates then put their arms round the forward as he got to his feet

However, his West Ham team-mates then put their arms round the forward as he got to his feet

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