It is not unusual to see players doing the military salute after scoring a goal; Salva Ballesta, Pablo Sarabia and even Cristiano Ronaldo have done it. On occasion, he has even been sanctioned by UEFA, as in 2019 when the image of Turkish players doing the military salute to celebrate the goal that earned them a 1-0 victory over Albania in the Euro qualifiers led to an investigation and a warning by the body that governs European football.
Yesterday, young Barça player Fermín did it again. The Huelva native has become one of the stars of these games and his military salute is already a symbol.
Spain is golden. La Roja had to come from behind twice against France (3-5) and start over in extra time to repeat the success of Barcelona 92. A double from Fermín and two decisive chip shots from Camello guided ‘La Roja’ to their second Olympic gold at the Parc des Princes.
The midfielder Barça’s player is shining with his own light at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and in the final played by Spain against France he did not miss his appointment with the goal, becoming one of the great protagonistsIn the 11th minute, the Andalusian put the team ahead with a left-footed shot from outside the area. Before scoring the second, he had a few more opportunities, but it was not until the 73rd minute that he was able to seal the double with a shot from outside the area.And as usual, he celebrated by bringing his hand to his forehead to perform the martial salute.
But what is the origin of this greeting that the midfielder repeats with each goal?
In In the case of Salva Ballesta, the military salute comes from his family’s connection with the Armed Forces and his gesture became so popular that he was named ambassador of the Army brand.Something similar happened with Pablo Sarabia, who explained the celebration of the goal he scored against Croatia in the round of 16 of Euro 2020, with a military salute dedicated to his family. “My father was a soldier and it is a way of dedicating the goal to him and my brother who is a Civil Guard. It was dedicated to them”he said.
However in In Fermin’s case, the reason seems to be more football-related. He did it alone, like yesterday, but also accompanied by some of his colleagues such as Lamine Yamal or Pau Cubarsí.
Tribute to two legends
The reason seems to be two Barça legends. The man from Campillo has never explained the reason for his celebration but it seems that it is only a kind of tribute to two historic Barça players – as he did when imitating Messi with his goal at the Bernabeu: Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto’o. The Frenchman and Cameroonian celebrated on several occasions by giving the military salute, something that the young Blaugrana player wanted to emulate.
The two legendary forwards celebrated on a couple of occasions and Before Fermín and Lamine repeated the military salute, Kessié and Aubameyang had already done so as well.
A a gesture that does not seem to please all Barça fans and which has been criticised on social media throughout the season. “What is the point of this military salute? I know that they are young, that when they celebrate they are happy and it requires doing something extravagant, in the end nothing new. I think that Barça should have a pedagogue who would explain and correct these details to them.”a user wrote in “X”.
Where does this greeting with the right hand on the temple come from?
The common military salute, that is, bringing the fingers to the temple, it is believed that it arose during the Middle Ages, with the custom of uncovering the face when greeting a fellow soldier.. And in order to show their faces, medieval knights had to raise the visor of their metal helmets. When this type of helmet with visor stopped being used, soldiers They maintained the custom as a sign of courtesy and respect.