The out-of-favour winger bit back at critics after climbing off the bench to hire Honduras into the next round of the Gold Cup
Celtic outcast Luis Palma was the hero for Honduras after netting a last-gasp winner to book their place in the next round of the Gold Cup.
But the winger’s goal celebrations have sparked controversy in his homeland – and seriously triggered a local journalist.
Palma, 25, has endured a difficult season for club and country having struggled at Celtic Park and on loan with Olympiacos.
Brendan Rodgers has deemed the playmaker surplus to requirements and Palma is expected to move on this summer after two years in Glasgow.
His international career has stalled too, and Palma was recently hooked at half-time in the humiliating 6-0 mauling to Alistair Johnston’s Canada.
Palma’s below-par performances have seen him come under fire from fans and media in Honduras, with the player’s social media antics also causing a stir.
Prior to the heavy defeat to Canada, the ex-Aris wide man joined a group of teammates in playing TikTok Live Battles. And fans have since accused those involved of taking their eyes off the ball.
But Palma managed to get back in the good books – at least temporarily – when he climbed off the bench to rifle home a last-minute winner against Curacao to set up a quarter-final showdown with Panama this weekend.
As he wheeled off to celebrate, Palma appeared to bite back at his critics by cupping his ears in front of supporters and pretending to write on a phone – a clear reaction to the social media abuse he has received.
That infuriated Julio Cesar Cruz, a journalist for the highly reputable publication Diario El Heraldo, who didn’t mince his words on X.
Sharing a picture of his celebration, the reporter tweeted: “Luis Palma, you’re still a nobody in the National Team, so do your job and if you’re going to shut us up, let it be on the field against Panama and in the important matches for the Bicolor. You’ve rightfully earned the criticism for your TikTok lives, so speak on the field…”
However, Palma has since downplayed his bizarre celebration and defended his teammates.
Asked specifically about his gestures, he said: “This is a dedication to no one. We take everything that’s said about this group with a grain of salt, and I think they’re right in some ways, and we’re very professional about how to act.”
Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport’s newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.