What is 'Salt Bae' and why are sports stars doing it when they celebrate?

Danny Welbeck of Arsenal and Doria of Marseille have helped introduce the sporting world to 'salt bae'
Danny Welbeck of Arsenal and Doria of Marseille have helped introduce the sporting world to 'salt bae' Credit: Stuart McFarlane/Claude Paris/Getty/AP Photo

It's happened - the 'salt bae' phenomenon has breached the shell of the sporting world, and now it's everywhere.

But what started all this and what are sports stars doing, exactly?

The 'salt bae' made its first high-profile appearance in football when Danny Welbeck celebrated his return to the Arsenal starting XI after a year out injured with a goal - and some serious 'salt bae' action.

Here is the original recipe salt bae: a Turkish chef.

'Salt Bae': Nusret Gökçe has become an Instagram star 
'Salt Bae': Nusret Gökçe has become an Instagram star  Credit: INSTAGRAM / NUSR_ET VERIFIED

The sensation had already spread through European football, as demonstrated by the celebration of Brazilian player Doria after he scored an extra-time winner for Marseille against Lyon in the Coupe de France.

The NFL Pro Bowl was not immune - as Travis Kelce sprinkled a little magic in the endzone with a 'salt bae' of his own.

A week later, the whole Wales team seemed to be at it; each try the Welsh ran in against Italy in Rome was greeted with a sprinkle of 'salt bae' from the scorer.

The origins of this phenomenon are easily traceable - to a Turkish restaurateur with a serious Instagram following, who has become known as 'salt bae'.

#salt #saltlife #saltbae @doriaofficial

A video posted by nusr_et (@nusr_et) on

The chef, who has now officially made an art out of salting meat, became a viral hit when one of his social media posts was turned into a meme by the internet at large.

And that's where out sports stars stepped in.

We've had the 'dab'; now we have the 'salt bae'.

Who knows where the 'salt bae' tributes will end - he is a very popular man, and judging by the Wales' rugby players' renditions we have by no means perfected our impersonations yet.

Keep your eyes peeled for more sports stars with lots to celebrate. And don't be afraid to have a sprinkle yourself in your Tuesday night five-a-side league!

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 28: Danny Welbeck celebrates scoring the 1st Arsenal goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary's Stadium on January 28, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Danny Welbeck celebrates his goalscoring return to the Arsenal first team with a Salt Bae Credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty

 

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