Balogun's LeBron 'Silencer' celebration earns reply from the NBA icon after USA goal

Folarin Balogun marked his goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina with LeBron James’ signature ‘Silencer’ celebration at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Wednesday, drawing a personal response from the NBA legend himself.

The 24-year-old United States striker opened the scoring in the round of 32 World Cup tie before mimicking the iconic pose, a nod to James amid the basketball star’s high-profile departure from the Los Angeles Lakers and entry into free agency for the first time since 2018. James, 41 and heading into his 24th NBA season, noticed the tribute and congratulated the “young king” on social media.

The moment added another layer to what has been a breakout tournament for Balogun. He now has three goals in four World Cup appearances for the USMNT, having opened his account with a brace against Paraguay in the group stage before adding to his tally against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Balogun sits three goals behind the tournament’s joint top scorers — Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, both on six — but his form has firmly established him as one of the most compelling stories of the competition so far.

James, meanwhile, is navigating one of the most scrutinised free-agency decisions in recent NBA memory. His next move has dominated sports headlines across the United States, and Balogun’s celebration — timed on one of football’s biggest stages — ensured the crossover moment reached an even wider audience.