New Delhi: Denmark’s striker Rasmus Hojlund scored the lone goal to help them seal a crucial 1-0 victory over Portugal in the first leg of the UEFA Nations League play-off quarter-final clash at the Parken Stadium on March 21. The Manchester United striker came off the bench to score the deciding goal in the 78th minute, scoring his seventh goal for his national side.
The Denmark forward ended a 21-game goal drought for his club by scoring in Manchester United’s win over Leicester City last weekend before following it up with the winner against Portugal. Hojlund snubbed his trademark gladiator celebration and jumped into the air spinning around 180 degrees with his arm out in a copy of Ronaldo’s iconic ‘Siu’ celebration in front of the Al-Nasr star raised controversy with many people criticising the youngster for mocking CR7.
For those who don’t know Rasmus Hojlund is a huge Cristiano fan.
— Al Nassr Zone (@TheNassrZone) March 20, 2025
Rasmus Hojlund on his “Siuu” celebration
While speaking to reporters after the match, Hojlund explained, “It’s for my idol. It wasn’t to mock him or anything. He’s had such a huge impact on me and my football career. Maybe it’s a bit ambivalent, but to score against him and Portugal, it’s huge.”
Hojlund never had the opportunity to play alongside Ronaldo at United after joining the club from Atalanta in the summer of 2023, half a year after the veteran left for Saudi Arabia under a cloud. However, the young Dane has expressed his admiration for the former United player, having grown up watching him play.
🚨🚨🎙️| Rasmus Hojlund on his celebration:
“He’s my idol [Cristiano Ronaldo]. I wasn’t making fun of him. He had a huge impact on me and my football career. Scoring against him and against Portugal is huge.” pic.twitter.com/m28Zif2VRG
— centredevils. (@centredevils) March 20, 2025
He said that he remembered Ronaldo scoring from a free kick in 2011 when he went to watch a match and he became a massive fan of CR7. As a boyhood United supporter, Hojlund would have spent his early years watching Portuguese star Ronaldo light up the pitch at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, The 40-year-old has been receiving criticism from fans for his continued inclusion in the starting lineup as he failed to make an impact in the contest. The losing side will move into Scotland’s World Cup qualifying group which includes Greece and Belarus.
Man Utd striker Rasmus Hojlund was accused of mocking Cristiano Ronaldo after his late goal sealed Denmark’s 1-0 win over Portugal in the Nations League playoffs. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
