Ex-Liverpool striker Christian Benteke reveals LeBron James inspiration behind D.C. United goal celebration

Speaking as a guest on MLS' ExtraTime radio show, the D.C. United striker was tell-all on the influence that the Los Angeles Lakers star has had on him. The former Premier League striker revealed that the 'work ethic' of James was one of his biggest influences.

The Belgian has been on fire in 2024, scoring six goals in six appearances for the Eastern Conference club. He even opened his 2024 campaign with a hat-trick against the New England Revolution. Now, nearly two months into the campaign, his iconic 'silencer' celebration now has an origin: Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.

“It comes from him,” Benteke said on Extratime Radio on MLSSoccer.Com. “Since I got into the basketball world, I've always been inspired by him. Me, as a footballer, you have players that you look up to. But then I was trying to look to a different sport and basketball was the closest to football. Then LeBron, you can't go wrong by choosing him. “It's work ethic, it's discipline about his work. We all know the great athlete that he is, but for me, it's more everything that he does to be so great.”

Benteke and D.C. are back in action on Saturday when they take on NYCFC in an Eastern Conference clash. Benteke will look to build on his tremendous goalscoring campaign when the aim for their third win of the campaign.