Folarin Balogun wanted attention. He got it. The US striker hit the back of the net during Wednesday’s 2-0 World Cup victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, immediately breaking out LeBron James’s signature “Silencer” celebration. He actually did it twice, though the first one didn’t count. Offside. Classic. Still, the stunt caught the eye of the self-proclaimed King himself.
James took to X to validate the kid. “THE (Silencer) HAS (Arrived) at the World Cup!” the 41-year-old basketball icon posted, throwing in a shushing emoji and a plane landing for good measure. He followed up with, “Helluva goal there Young (King)!” The internet, predictably, ate it up. Nearly four million views and counting. Because of course.
For the uninitiated, the “Silencer” is James’s go-to move for shutting up hostile crowds. It involves high knees, downward palms, and a chest tap. Balogun, a 24-year-old London-raised New Yorker currently playing in France, is obsessed with hoops. US soccer recruiters knew this. When they wanted to steal him away from England and Nigeria, they didn’t pitch him on tactics. They flew him to Florida and dangled courtside NBA tickets. It worked.
But the high didn’t last. Balogun has three goals this tournament, helping the US reach the last-16. Too bad he won’t be playing against Belgium on Monday. He got himself sent off in the second half against Bosnia. Brilliant. Meanwhile, James is busy with his own drama. He just announced he’s quitting the Lakers to chase an unprecedented 24th season elsewhere, throwing the NBA into its usual free-agency chaos. Business as usual.
