Watford forward Amin Nabizada has revealed the story behind his goal celebration in the 2-1 win over Southampton, crediting a viral trend and a nickname from teammate Edoardo Bove. The 20-year-old spoke to Yahoo Sports after the match, detailing how Bove's comparison to Argentine star Paulo Dybala inspired the moment.
Nabizada scored a superb goal on Sunday and celebrated by covering the lower half of his face with his thumb and forefinger. This mirrored a celebration made famous by Dybala during his time at Juventus. "I was over the moon after my goal - and Bove's been calling me Dybala recently so we've done the Dybala celebration together," Nabizada said.
Edoardo Bove has been comparing his young teammate to the experienced Argentine forward in recent weeks. Nabizada embraced the comparison, which led to their joint celebration after his strike against Southampton. The forward also highlighted the influence of other senior players like Mattie Pollock and Jordan Zemura in helping him settle into the first-team setup this summer. Pollock in particular is always offering advice on and off the pitch, according to the youngster.
Nabizada offered encouraging words about the squad's spirit following a difficult end to the previous campaign. He pointed to the tough eight-week pre-season as a foundation for the current togetherness. "There's been a lot of togetherness recently and you can see that on the pitch," he stated. "We all want to run and fight for each other." Head coach Alessio Dionisi has also earned praise for the freedom and trust he gives to players, creating a positive environment where everyone is pushing each other.
The young forward's emergence provides a welcome option for Dionisi. Nabizada acknowledged that he felt ready for his opportunity and is grateful for the manager's faith. His goal against Southampton, a key promotion rival, demonstrates his potential to contribute in important matches.
The positive mood within the camp is a significant shift from the end of the last campaign. Nabizada's integration and the supportive dynamic among players like Bove, Pollock, and Zemura are positive signs. Maintaining this unity will be essential for Watford's challenge in a competitive Championship season. The team's upcoming schedule, including further tests against promotion contenders, is available on our fixtures page. Building on this win and the evident team spirit will be the immediate focus for Dionisi and his squad.
