Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey has insisted his celebration against Newcastle United was not a sign to his detractors in the Netherlands.

The 24-year-old was the Sunderland hero on Sunday. He bagged a 90th minute winner for the Black Cats in a 2-1 win.

That last-gasp winner secure Sunderland’s first league win at St James’ Park in nearly a decade. It also sealed a double over the Magpies in their first season back in the Premier League.

Iconic celebration

Wild celebrations followed, including those from Brian Brobbey. He ripped off his shirt directly in front of the Newcastle United fans, beating his chest and demonstrating a toned physique, to say the least.

That had led to some comments, particularly in the Netherlands. His fitness and physique were often questioned at Ajax. He though, insists it wasn’t for that.

“Not for that. I trained hard, yeah, I trained very hard,” he told ESPN. “I have been to the gym a lot. Naturally, I was very happy. It’s a derby.”

Asked if it had anything to do with Dutch criticism of fitness he added; “No, that doesn’t have to have anything to do with the Netherlands at all. I was just very happy.”

Asked if it was for the ladies (seriously) – “No” (and looked at the interviewer funny).

World Cup chance

Brian Brobbey’s fitness is a big discussion in the Netherlands, where he often failed to play 90 minutes under Francesco Farioli.

This season he’s played 90 minutes five times for Sunderland, thanks to often being used in a substitute role by Regis Le Bris. That’s a trick which is working well to date.

The Frenchman’s impact on Brobbey has already been praised by Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman.

He now has the Sunderland man firmly in his plans for the World Cup. The winner against Newcastle United was further confirmation that including him for this international break was the right choice.

Now, with the Netherlands watching, perhaps Brobbey will get a chance to show off his improved physique again to Dutch fans. That’s even if he insists the celebration wasn’t for the sake of his Dutch critics.

For the forward, he’s living a great spell in his career. Ahead of the World Cup, it’s come at just the right time. Not so long ago, his place in Ronald Koeman’s squad would have been questioned, but now he’s turned the situation on it’s head.

That can only benefit Sunderland in the coming months.

🇨🇭 Granit Xhaka | “He knows his body”

➡️ Manager to respect Sunderland player’s fitness tightrope
✅ Comforting words for Regis Le Bris https://t.co/23IMqKk46w #safc

— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) March 24, 2026