Cristiano Ronaldo breaks silence on Rasmus Hojlund imitating his iconic celebration throughout Denmark’s Nations League win over Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo has responded to Rasmus Hojlund after the Man United striker copied his iconic celebration when he scored for Denmark of their 1-0 win over Portugal on Thursday.

Hojlund got here off the bench to web the successful aim within the first leg of his facet’s UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie, which gave them a one-goal benefit heading into the second leg on Sunday. 

After the 22-year-old discovered the again of the online, he ran to the nook flag to rejoice together with his team-mates, earlier than 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 in direction of Ronaldo and that he was merely copying his idol.

He mentioned: ‘It is for my idol. It isn’t like I am mocking him or something. I’ve simply at all times mentioned that he has quite a lot of significance to me and my soccer profession.’

And Ronaldo has seemingly taken calmly to Hojlund’s actions, as he defined that he has no difficulty with United’s No 9 doing his celebration.

Soccer’s all-time prime goalscorer mentioned: ‘It is no downside for me. I do know it wasn’t out of disrespect. It’s not solely him who does my celebration world wide.

‘I am good sufficient to know that. For me it’s an honour. I hope to do it in entrance of him tomorrow [on Sunday]. Will probably be good. I am glad he likes my celebration.’

Hojlund had beforehand been open in his admiration for Ronaldo when rising up.

‘Now I am not going to magnify, however Cristiano is every little thing to me,’ Hojlund informed Danish outlet DR forward of Thursday’s match.

‘I fell in love with soccer due to Cristiano, I turned a Manchester United fan due to Cristiano.

‘I began self-training due to Cristiano, I began doing push-ups and sit-ups each day earlier than I went to mattress, due to Cristiano, as a result of I wished to be Cristiano.’

After becoming a member of Man United in a £72million transfer in the summertime of 2023, Hojlund revealed how his father had wished him to idolise Ronaldo.

The Dane revealed the impression Ronaldo had on his growth, citing how his work ethic had contributed to his success.

‘My father launched me after I was not so younger. He launched me to Cristiano Ronaldo, and wished me to idolise him as a result of he has mentality,’ Hojlund mentioned.

‘That is the rationale he achieved a lot in his profession and for me is the perfect participant ever. He had the expertise nevertheless it’s how laborious he labored.

‘I’ve seen just a few interviews with ex-Manchester United gamers and so they all mentioned he wasn’t a whole footballer when he got here. He was skillful, however he developed.’ 

Portugal face Denmark within the second leg of their Nations League quarter-final on Sunday. 

Portugal successful the competitors would see Ronaldo raise the third piece of silverware together with his nationwide staff, having gained Euro 2016 and the Nations League in its inaugural rendition in 2019.