Emmanuel Adebayor first pulled off his military salute goal celebration back when he played for Arsenal.

#AdeSalute #Spurs Oh wait. pic.twitter.com/XIkjXHX9TS

— United Religion (@Unitedology) April 10, 2014

It was however, Tottenham who coined the term ‘Ade Salute’ after he pulled off the same celebration while playing for them.

Celebration of the season? Is there really another answer to this. #AdeSalute pic.twitter.com/0CG933IKwP

— Talking THFC (@TalkingTHFC) May 11, 2014

The salute returned yesterday after Emmanuel Adebayor scored his 11th goal of the season in Basaksehir’s 5-0 demolition of Karabukspor.

Adebayor’s celebration did however, have a deeper meaning.

The experienced striker revealed that he pulled off the salute in honor of the soldiers who give their lives to keep the public safe.

See More: Adebayor ‘Hates’ Arsenal Because Of What Arsene Wenger Did & Explains Infamous Celebration In Front Of Fans

Adebayor said: “I gave a military salute after scoring as my way of respecting those who risk their lives to keep us safe.”

The salute sparked a social media storm and was widely reported in the local press as a show of support for the Turkish troops currently involved in Operation Olive in Syria.

Adebayor ‘I gave a military salute after scoring as my way of respecting those who risk their lives to keep us safe’ pic.twitter.com/4is4VUDAs9

— Turkish Football (@Turkish_Futbol1) January 29, 2018