Cristiano Ronaldo has responded to Rasmus Hojlund after the Man United striker copied his iconic celebration when he scored for Denmark in their 1-0 win over Portugal last week.
Hojlund came off the bench to net the winning goal in the first leg of his side’s UEFA Nations League tie, which gave them a one-goal advantage heading into a decisive quarter-final on Sunday.
After the 22-year-old found the back of the net, he ran to the corner flag to celebrate with his team-mates, before performing Ronaldo’s ‘siu’ celebration, with the veteran Portugal star left watching on from the centre circle.
On Thursday, Hojlund insisted that he meant no disrespect towards Ronaldo and that he was simply copying his idol.
He said: ‘It’s for my idol. It’s not like I’m mocking him or anything. I’ve just always said that he has a lot of importance to me and my football career.’
And Ronaldo has seemingly taken lightly to Hojlund’s actions, as he explained that he has no issue with United’s No 9 doing his celebration.
Cristiano Ronaldo has responded to Rasmus Hojund copying his iconic celebration last week
Hojlund performed Ronaldo’s ‘siu’ celebration after scoring in Denmark’s 1-0 win vs Portugal
Ronaldo explained that he understands Hojlund did not intend any disrespect with his actions
Football’s all-time top goalscorer said: ‘It’s no problem for me. I know it wasn’t out of disrespect. It is not only him who does my celebration around the world.
‘I’m smart enough to understand that. For me it is an honour. I hope to do it in front of him tomorrow [on Sunday]. It will be good. I’m glad he likes my celebration.’
Hojlund had previously been open in his admiration for Ronaldo when growing up.
‘Now I’m not going to exaggerate, but Cristiano is everything to me,’ Hojlund told Danish outlet DR ahead of last week’s match.
‘I fell in love with football because of Cristiano, I became a Manchester United fan because of Cristiano.
‘I started self-training because of Cristiano, I started doing push-ups and sit-ups every day before I went to bed, because of Cristiano, because I wanted to be Cristiano.’
After joining Man United in a £72million move in the summer of 2023, Hojlund revealed how his father had wanted him to idolise Ronaldo.
The Dane revealed the impact Ronaldo had on his development, citing how his work ethic had contributed to his success.
Hojlund has now scored in back-to-back games after ending his 21-game-long goal drought
‘My father introduced me when I was not so young. He introduced me to Cristiano Ronaldo, and wanted me to idolise him because he has a good mentality,’ Hojlund said.
‘That’s the reason he achieved so much in his career and for me is the best player ever. He had the talent but it’s how hard he worked.
‘I’ve seen a few interviews with ex-Manchester United players and they all said he wasn’t a complete footballer when he came. He was skillful, but he developed.’
Portugal face Denmark in the second leg of their Nations League quarter-final on Sunday.
Victory for the former would see Ronaldo lift the third piece of silverware with his national team, having won Euro 2016 and the Nations League in its inaugural rendition in 2019.
Leave a Reply