Germany head coach Jurgen Klopp said Christian midfielder Felix Nmecha will no longer perform a goal celebration tied to a Christian campaign, after the gesture drew criticism from Borussia Dortmund supporters, ESPN reported.
Nmecha, 26, scored both goals in Dortmund’s 2-1 win over Elversberg last weekend and celebrated by miming taking a crown off his head and kneeling to place it on the ground, according to ESPN. Klopp promised the midfielder won’t repeat it, ESPN said in a post on X.
Klopp promises Nmecha won't repeat controversial crown celebration
Germany head coach Jürgen Klopp promised Felix Nmecha will not repeat his controversial goal celebration after confronting the midfielder over the gesture.https://t.co/jxCuaVEsbY
— ESPN Soccer (@ESPNsoccer) November 12, 2026
A gesture of faith draws fire
The celebration was seen by many fans as a nod to “The King’s Return,” a campaign linked to Ballers in God, a network of Christian football players, Reuters reported. Critics have said the campaign discriminates against gay and transgender people, according to Reuters.
The gesture drew strong criticism from Dortmund’s Supporters Council, according to Bulinews.
Nmecha addressed what he called “misunderstandings” about the celebration on Instagram, Bulinews reported. “My celebration is not intended to promote myself or any organization. Rather, it is about laying my ‘crown’ before the soon coming King and pointing to Jesus, my hope and strength! My message has never been about promoting intolerance, discrimination, or hate in any form,” he said, according to Bulinews.
Dortmund president weighs in
Dortmund president Hans-Joachim Watzke said on a podcast that the club had to take the fans’ concerns seriously, Bulinews reported, citing Bild. Watzke said he had no issue with Nmecha expressing his faith, according to the outlet.
“I like Felix Nmecha very much. We have a very, very good relationship and speak to each other frequently. As a practising Catholic, I am also the last person who would want to forbid someone from praying. That is not what this is about at all,” Watzke said, Bulinews reported. The club’s concern is being associated with the Ballers in God network, according to Bulinews.
Klopp: “He loves all people”
Klopp told a news conference in Belgrade, ahead of Germany’s Nations League match against Serbia, that he had confronted Nmecha about the controversy, ESPN reported.
“I have known Felix Nmecha for a few months, and I can say that he is a very friendly young man, who is warm and open, and always spreads positive energy when he is with us,” Klopp said, according to ESPN. “He told me that it had nothing to do with that at all, and that he loves all people and does not discriminate against anyone.”
“For me the most important issue was settled. Then I said ‘how do we do it with the goal celebration?’ He will not be celebrating like that,” Klopp added, ESPN reported.
Ballers in God responds
Ballers in God, founded by former Crystal Palace and Tottenham midfielder John Bostock, said it wants to “demonstrate love and respect towards everyone,” ESPN reported. Klopp has two more Nations League matches with Germany, which sits three points off the quarterfinal places in its group, according to ESPN.
Sources
- ESPN FC on X
- ESPN: Klopp promises Nmecha won’t repeat controversial crown celebration
- Reuters via The Straits Times: Germany’s Nmecha won’t repeat controversial goal celebration, says Klopp
- Bulinews via Yahoo Sports: Dortmund chief speaks out on Nmecha’s celebration
Sources cited
Sources
- Original post: ESPN Soccer (@ESPNsoccer) on X, Nov 12, 2026
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