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WHERE THE HEART IS

World Cup 2018: More than a dozen players did a ‘love heart’ – the most popular celebration of the tournament

Stars in Russia couldn't help but let their loved ones know they were thinking of them

THE World Cup saw lots of brilliant celebrations - from Cristiano Ronaldo scratching his 'G.O.A.T.' beard to French president Emmanuel Macron dabbing with the winning players.

But no celebration proved more popular than the simple 'love heart'.

 Neymar was one of more than a dozen players to celebrate with a love heart
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Neymar was one of more than a dozen players to celebrate with a love heartCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Angel Di Maria was another - doing the celebration after his rocket against France in the last-16
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Angel Di Maria was another - doing the celebration after his rocket against France in the last-16Credit: Reuters
 But later in the same game Benjamin Pavard did the celebration after his brilliant goal for eventual winners France
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But later in the same game Benjamin Pavard did the celebration after his brilliant goal for eventual winners FranceCredit: AFP or licensors

More than a dozen players were seen making the gesture in Russia.

Stars from around the world couldn't help but make sure their loved ones in the crowd - and watching at home - knew they were thinking of them.

From Colombia to Iceland and Morocco, it didn't matter which continent players were from, cupping fingers together to form a heart shape was seen throughout the tournament.

Brazilian players were definitely keen on the celebration with four Samba Boys spotted doing it in Russia.

 The celebration proved massively popular in the Brazil squad - Thiago Silva doing it after the last-16 win against Mexico
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The celebration proved massively popular in the Brazil squad - Thiago Silva doing it after the last-16 win against MexicoCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Willian did it after scoring against Serbia in the group stage
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Willian did it after scoring against Serbia in the group stageCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Roberto Firmino did it after scoring against Mexico - as did Neymar
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 Roberto Firmino did it after scoring against Mexico - as did NeymarCredit: Getty - Contributor

Both Neymar and Roberto Firmino did it after scoring against Mexico in the last-16 match, while Selecao skipper Thiago Silva also did it at the end of the match.

Chelsea winger Willian had earlier done the celebration after scoring in the group game against Serbia.

The love heart was also popular in Tunisia, with Ferjani Sassi doing it after scoring a penalty against England and Wahbi Khazri celebrating his goal against Panama with the celebration.

Panama players had also seen the celebration used against them in their first game against Belgium.

 Tunisia midfielder Ferjani Sassi celebrated with a love heart after scoring a penalty against England
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Tunisia midfielder Ferjani Sassi celebrated with a love heart after scoring a penalty against EnglandCredit: Reuters
 Fellow Tunisian Wahbi Kazri also did the celebration, against Panama
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Fellow Tunisian Wahbi Kazri also did the celebration, against PanamaCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Dries Mertens did it after his stunning volley broke the deadlock for the eventual semi-finalists against the Central Americans.

Peru's Andre Carillo did it against Australia and Morocco's Youssef En Nesyri after thinking he'd scored the winner in the 2-2 draw with Spain.

Five days earlier, Morocco had seen the celebration used against them by Portugal defender Jose Fonte, after a 1-0 defeat.

Colombia's Yerry Mina did the celebration after his late equaliser against England in the last-16... but thankfully it was to no avail as Gareth Southgate's heroes eventually won on penalties.

 Colombia's Yerry Mina did it after scoring a late equaliser against England... but the Three Lions went on to win a famous penalty shootout
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Colombia's Yerry Mina did it after scoring a late equaliser against England... but the Three Lions went on to win a famous penalty shootoutCredit: AFP
 Peru's Andre Carrillo did it after a group stage goal against Australia
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Peru's Andre Carrillo did it after a group stage goal against AustraliaCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Morrocan Youssef En Nesyri did it after thinking he'd scored a late winner against Spain
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Morrocan Youssef En Nesyri did it after thinking he'd scored a late winner against SpainCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Portugal defender Jose Fonte was spotted doing it against Morocco
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Portugal defender Jose Fonte was spotted doing it against MoroccoCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Belgium's Dries Mertens celebrated his beautiful volley against Panama with a love heart
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Belgium's Dries Mertens celebrated his beautiful volley against Panama with a love heartCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Alfred Finnbogason celebrated his Iceland goal against Argentina with the goal
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Alfred Finnbogason celebrated his Iceland goal against Argentina with the goalCredit: PA:Press Association
 Cristiano Ronaldo grew a beard and stroked his chin - a reference to his 'G.O.A.T' status
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Cristiano Ronaldo grew a beard and stroked his chin - a reference to his 'G.O.A.T' statusCredit: Alamy Live News
 Jesse Lingard was one of a number of players to take inspiration from popular video game Fortnite
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Jesse Lingard was one of a number of players to take inspiration from popular video game FortniteCredit: AP:Associated Press

The celebration will likely bring back bad memories for Argentina, however.

Alfred Finmbogasson did it in Iceland's 1-1 draw against Jorge Sampaoli's team.

Angel Di Maria then did one of his own in the last-16 clash against France, after scoring one of the best goals of the tournament.

But Lionel Messi and Co then saw it used against them just 20 minutes later, as France right-back Benjamin Pavard celebrated an even better goal by doing the love heart.

No England players did the celebration - they were too busy copying moves from video game Fortnite.

No surprise there, as the Three Lions clocked up thousands of hours playing the game during the tournament.

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