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IMAGE CREDITS: MLSsoccer

Former Liverpool striker Christian Benteke has disclosed that his iconic ‘silencer’ celebration is inspired by Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.

Speaking as a guest on MLS’ ExtraTime radio show, the D.C.



United star revealed the significant influence that the NBA star has had on him.

Benteke highlighted James’ ‘work ethic’ as one of his major inspirations.

The 33-year-old has been in top form in 2024, scoring six goals in six appearances for the Eastern Conference club.

Christian Benteke kicked off his 2024 campaign with a hat-trick against the New England Revolution.

Now, almost two months into the season, the origin of his iconic ‘silencer’ celebration is traced back to LeBron James.

Benteke and D.C.

United return to action on Saturday, facing NYCFC in an Eastern Conference clash.

The Belgium international aims to continue his impressive goalscoring form as they pursue their third win of the campaign.

“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.

We all know the great athlete that he is, but for me, it’s more everything that he does to be so great.”

Benteke joined Liverpool in 2015 from Aston Villa, where he had scored 49 goals in 101 matches across all competitions.

This included an impressive debut season in the Premier League, where he netted 19 goals and helped Villa reach the 2015 FA Cup Final.

Despite his promising start, his tenure at Liverpool lasted only a single season, during which he scored a total of 10 goals?

He then made a move to Crystal Palace at the beginning of the 2016/17 season.

On the international stage, Benteke has represented Belgium with distinction, earning over forty caps since his debut in 2010.

Despite missing the 2014 FIFA World Cup due to injury, he played a crucial role in Belgium’s journey to the quarter-finals of UEFA Euro 2016 and also featured in UEFA Euro 2020.

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