MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) 鈥� After he opened the scoring in in the World Cup on Sunday night, Yasin Ayari chose not to celebrate. Instead, he raised his hands in apology.
The gesture was a way of paying respect to his heritage.
The 22-year-old Ayari was born in Solna, Sweden, to a Tunisian father, Azzouz Ayari.
Ayari, who represented Sweden at the youth level, was given the chance to switch allegiances and play for Tunisia ahead of the 2022 World Cup, but he declined.
When asked about his son鈥檚 choice to represent Sweden, Azzouz Ayari told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet earlier this year that he agreed with the decision.
鈥淣o, I wanted him to play for Sweden,鈥� Azzouz Ayari said. 鈥淗e must feel like he鈥檚 giving back to the country that took care of him.鈥�
On Saturday, Tunisia coach Sabri Lamouchi also offered support to Ayari.
鈥淚 know him and his brother,鈥� Lamouchi said. 鈥淗e made a choice, I have a lot of respect, and he鈥檚 a very good player. We wish him after the game best of luck, but that is after the game.鈥�
In the final seconds, Ayari scored a second goal with a long-range shot to the left corner. He celebrated more enthusiastically, sliding on his knees while cupping his ear with his hand toward the Sweden fans behind the goal.
The fans certainly believe he made the right decision.
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Maya Koluder-Ramirez is a student in the University of Georgia鈥檚 Carmical Sports Media Institute.
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