The Belgian striker shares his thoughts on cultural significance and personal achievements as well as his goal-celebration and who inspired it
Benteke discusses his admiration of LeBron JamesD.C. United star coming off Golden Boot-winning seasonForward emphasizes the blend of cultures in MLSGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED
Christian Benteke, D.C. United's star forward, recently sat down to reflect on his successful 2024 season. The Belgian striker, fresh off winning the MLS Golden Boot, shared insights into what this important month means to him personally and professionally. Not only that, the former Premier League star opened up about his celebration, how LeBron James inspired it and continues to inspire him now even at 40
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"I think it was probably almost 10 years ago when I was in the Premier League. I was watching him [LeBron James] playing for the Cavs and this is something that I found really cool. You can even see today, he’s 40 years old but he keeps going hard. Sometimes it has nothing to do about money, about being famous but just about the love of your job," Benteke said.
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Benteke had a remarkable 2024 season with D.C. United as the Belgian forward claimed the 2024 MLS Golden Boot award after netting an impressive 23 goals in the league. His outstanding performance also earned him a place in the 2024 MLS Best XI, recognizing him as one of the league's top players for the season. Despite Benteke's individual success, D.C. United narrowly missed out on the playoffs. The team's season came to a heartbreaking end on the final day of the regular season, with goal difference ultimately keeping them out of the postseason.
The former Premier League star opened up about his season and how he believed that winning the MLS Golden Boot was a good way to celebrate the term.
“It was a good season for me personally. I’m really proud about myself. Sometimes when you don’t score goals, your team doesn’t win, it’s so easy to give up. But I stick to it and I feel it’s the work that I’ve been putting in and this is a way to celebrate a good season,” Benteke said about winning the Golden Boot.
“I think it’s nice to write your name in club history. That’s the reason why we play this game, it’s because of what we can get from it. The joy, the peace, and just the happiness to score goals or to have a good game. I feel like sometimes we can lose it because of maybe the pressure of social media. It’s always important to remind yourself 'Why did we start to play this game at first?'"
Getty Images SportWHAT’S NEXT?
Benteke and D.C. United’s season got off to a decent start as they ended their 2025 MLS season opener with a 2-2 draw against Toronto FC, with the striker scoring. They face Chicago Fire next on March 2 before they host Sporting KC at the Audi Field on March 9 in the league.