Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessie celebrated one of the most important goals of his career in a unique way on Sunday as Barcelona triumphed over Real Madrid by 2-1.
After replacing Sergi Roberto in the 77th minute, Kessie scored the match-winning strike of the El Clasico in the stoppage-time which was his maiden La Liga goal.
The goal stretched Barcelona’s lead at the top of the league table to a 12-point margin and the celebration was special for the 26-year-old Ivorian star to remember his late father on a day set aside as Father’s Day in Spain.
Kessie’s father was a soldier in Ivory Coast and he died during a civil war in the Ivory Coast when he was just 11 years old.
“When someone older than [my father] arrived, he would greet them with the salute as a sign of respect for the other person,” Kessié told Mundo Deportivo. “That’s why this image stuck in my head.”
Kessie joined Xavi’s team on a free transfer in July 2022, following the expiry of his contract of his AC Milan contract.
He has played 18 La Liga games so far, and 12 matches across other competitions.
