Daniil Medvedev’s reenactment of the “dead fish” forces us to reflect on the most infuriating celebrations in the video game
Daniil Medvedev won the US Open in Flushing Meadows, Queens this past weekend, in a match that had tennis fans riveted to their screens. The rangy Russian thwarted Novak Djokovic in his bid to become the second man ever, after Rod Laver, to win a calendar Grand Slam (winning all four major Slam tournaments in the same year) and did it in style, decimating the Serbian in straight sets. Beyond the athleticism and poise he displayed, Medvedev sparked conversations around the world after dropping his Technifibre racquet and plummeting to the hard court upon cementing his title, in a move inspired by the famous FIFA video game celebration where players have their computer character flop to the ground like a dead fish. In his post-match speech, Medvedev cryptically referred to the celebration as “L2 + Left” (the button combination required to perform this move on PlayStation, the superior console) and suggested that only “legends” would understand what he meant. In the spirit of honouring such legends, here are the most annoying FIFA celebrations to be on the receiving end of, according to me.
“The Dab” (R1 + Triangle x2)
Possibly the most annoying celebration of all time, and still in use despite the move’s origins in 2016. Used by teenagers selecting PSG the world over.
“Calma Calma” (L1 + Triangle x2)
Cristiano Ronaldo telling the Camp Nou to remain calm after he had cemented all three points for Real Madrid against Barcelona in 2012 remains one of the most iconic celebrations of all time, and one that rankles anyone told to chill out after conceding a cutback online.
“The Shush” (Hold RS right)
Being told to hush after getting hit on the counterattack and conceding a late winner is never easy, and it doesn’t get easier no matter how many times you suffer that fate.
“Muevelo” (L1, RS right +Left)
Watching a computer-generated player contort himself to dance this shocking number can end friendships if ill-timed.
“Phone it in” (L2 + RS Up)
First seen when Gabriel Jesus started doing it to honour the close connection that he has with his Brazilian mother, this move is a cheeky one.
While this list is not exhaustive, I hope it proves useful in alienating your friends and loved ones.