We all have certain things that are important to us. Aspects of ourselves that we consider to be the unshakable foundation of who we are as individuals. For Brighton & Hove Albion’s Kazenga LuaLua, the backflip goal celebration is an expression of that. And he wasn’t about to let a knee injury that kept him out for two months scare him off doing it.

The 24-year-old winger scored for the first time since returning from the injury in Brighton’s 2–0 win against Derby on Tuesday and despite his coaches’ disapproval, he celebrated with his backflip.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/CN-le_2-nDk

From the BBC:

“I know the staff don’t like it when I do a backflip,” DR Congo-born LuaLua told BBC Radio Sussex.

“But I don’t think anyone can stop me — it is how I celebrate.”

Older brother Lomana, formerly with Colchester, Newcastle, Portsmouth and Olympiakos and now playing in Turkey, is also noted for his aerial acrobatics.

“It is something in the family blood — it is always going to happen,” LuaLua said.

Some things are important enough to risk your livelihood over. Backflip goal celebrations are one of those things.