American custom.. Why did St. Germain players wear ski masks during coronation celebrations?

Paris Saint-Germain’s players wore protective ski masks known as ‘goggles’ as they celebrated their second straight Champions League win after beating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the final in Budapest last Saturday night.

Minutes after the title decision, a number of stars from the Paris team, including Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desiree Douy, appeared wearing these masks, in a scene that sparked widespread questions on social media, especially as the celebration took place in a warm atmosphere that did not require the use of masks.

According to the French chain RMC Sport, these masks are not only used for aesthetic purposes, but their roots come from an old American sports tradition, as players wore them to protect their eyes from splashes of champagne during title celebrations, as the liquid can irritate the cornea and protect them from possible injuries caused by spilled bottle caps.

The custom began in American baseball when New York Mets player Bobby Ojeda wore swimming goggles during his team’s 1986 World Series championship celebrations.

The phenomenon later spread to various American sports, including the NBA, women’s soccer, and Major League Soccer (MLS).

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Paris Saint-Germain’s celebrations were not limited to the preventive side, as all the masks were said to be identical and bear the logo of the club’s official sponsor, leading some to believe it was part of an advertising campaign or “subliminal promotion” of the brand during one of the most watched moments in world football.

A number of Paris footballers continued to wear masks during post-match interviews and even on their way back to their hotel, becoming one of the most famous images of the European coronation celebrations.