“You’re my idol”: Striker celebrates goal with Thierry Henry | OneFootball

Panama striker Cecilio Waterman celebrated his winning goal against the USA on Thursday with former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, explaining why afterwards.

Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images

The USA faced off against Panama in the Concacaf Nations League semi-finals on Thursday, and the scores stayed level at 0-0 until the 94th minute of the game.

Just when it looked like the game was heading for extra time, Cecilio Waterman popped up with Panama’s first shot on target, firing past Matt Turner into the far corner of the net.

Thierry Henry was preparing to do punditry for CBS Sports on the sidelines, but he suddenly found himself thrust into the midst of the celebrations as Waterman charged over to share the moment with the former Gunner.

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Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images

“Tú eres mi ídolo,” Waterman shouted, which translates to “you are my idol”.

“Thank God I understand Spanish,” Henry joked afterwards. “When he said, “Eres mi idolo’, I was like, “OK, phew!”. I don’t know where we were going there, but that was special, really.

“That was a hell of a finish by the way. I was shocked. I never thought I was going to be part of a celebration like that and not scoring the goal and not even being on the field!”

Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images

Waterman explained the celebration after the game, saying: “The truth is that the day before at the hotel they asked me who my idol was when I was little, and I said it was Henry.

“I always watched him growing up. When I was little, I watched him at Arsenal, and well, scoring that goal and seeing him there, it was crazy. I went to celebrate with him, and the celebration happened by chance.”

The striker gave Henry his shirt after the game, signing it for him, and the former Gunner promised he’d send an Arsenal shirt in return.

Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images

33-year-old Waterman probably isn’t particularly well known over in Europe, having spent his entire club career playing in the Americas. But Thursday’s goal will help him to make his name back in his home country, qualifying Panama for their first Nations League final.

Panama will play Mexico in the final on Sunday night, or Monday morning at 01:30 GMT for those in the UK.