Rasmus Hojlund
Rasmus Hojlund's celebration for Denmark as Cristiano Ronaldo watched on
Rasmus Hojlund has been criticised in some quarters for his celebration during Denmark's 1-0 Nations League win over Portugal on Thursday night. The Manchester United striker copied Cristiano Ronaldo's iconic 'Siu' celebration following his 78th-minute strike.
"I’m playing against the world’s best footballer, my idol, and to score a goal and win the match... it couldn’t be better," Hojlund told TV2 via Fotbollskanalen as he insisted he meant no disrespect.
"It’s for my idol. It’s not like I’m mocking him or anything," he added. "I’ve just always said that he has a lot of importance to me and my football career.
"It’s maybe a bit ambivalent, but scoring against him and Portugal is huge. I was there and saw him in 2009 when he scored from a free kick and I’ve been a fan ever since."
Hojlund's actions reinforces the influence Ronaldo continues to have in football. Ronaldo, one of the greatest players of all time, continues to inspire many - having set a standard in the sport with his achievements, work ethic and style of play.
Mimicking Ronaldo's celebration was simply a way for Hojlund to pay homage to the Portugal star he views as an idol - news that is nothing new. Speaking shortly after his Manchester United unveiling in 2023, Hojlund spoke about how his earliest memories as a young fan of the club growing up was watching the 2008 Champions League triumph against Chelsea.
"My father pushed it over my head, and I started following everybody around the club and of course, I was very into Premier League football and everything around it," Hojlund told United's in-house media. "So, I kept watching, and of course, Cristiano [Ronaldo] was my idol when he was playing back then, so I kept following him and of course kept following Manchester United."
Hojlund added: "He had a rough childhood, he came through it, he wanted to be the best. He even just put it out there very early.
"I think there’s an interview with Anderson, Ferdinand and Ronaldo where they ask, the reporter asks, ‘Who’s the best football player in the world’ and then he just said ‘me’. I like this mentality. He just put it out and said at least he wanted to be the best, and that’s the same mentality I go for. I want to be the best version of myself."
Hojlund's celebration was simply an outlet for the forward that demonstrates the fact he wants to reach a similar level of greatness the Portuguese star has achieved in his career. Hojlund already finds himself in a similar trajectory, currently representing United - one of Ronaldo's former clubs.
It's obvious that sharing a pitch with Ronaldo saw him fulfil a dream - and that should rightly be celebrated. It's also clear to see the mark Ronaldo has left on the sport and the influence he will continue to have for many years to come, even after hanging up his boots. Hojlund wasn't the first player to copy his iconic celebration and will certainly not be the last.
Although Hojlund's strike proved to be the difference in the Nations League quarter-final first leg in Copenhagen, Ronaldo simply sent an 11-word message on social media after the defeat - overlooking the Danish player's gesture.
"We have 90 minutes to turn this around. Let's go Portugal!," he wrote. Hojlund will meet his idol again for the second leg tie in Lisbon on Sunday.
That message shows the same mentality Hojlund has learned from his idol - and that the tie is far from over.
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