Gio Reyna has explained that his hands-over-ears celebration after scoring for the United States was not a reference to the discussion around his last World Cup.
The 23-year-old was asked directly about the gesture after coming off the bench and scoring in the closing stages.
The question came after the United States opened their World Cup campaign with a commanding victory over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium.
Gio Reyna explains celebration after USA goal
Reyna was asked whether his celebration, with both hands placed over his ears, was any reference to the narrative around Qatar 2022.
He replied: “It’s not really, to be honest. It was more something I just me and my best friend and my brother spoke about, but it’s nothing to do with that, but yeah. Something between me and my brother.”
When asked to elaborate, Reyna added: “Just that I don’t hear much, I guess. I’ll say that.”
That answer was clear. Reyna did not present the celebration as a public response to criticism or as a message about what happened four years earlier.
Reyna scores late as USA beat Paraguay
The moment came after USA’s 4-1 win over Paraguay, with Reyna adding the final goal late in the match.
A separate clip of the finish showed Reyna scored late to seal the victory for the hosts.
The Qatar 2022 subject has followed Reyna since the previous World Cup, when his reduced role became a major talking point around the United States squad.
That background made the celebration a natural question. Reyna’s answer, however, kept the focus on a private reference involving his brother rather than a wider statement.
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