Hojlund netted a late goal to secure Denmark’s victory in the Nations League quarter-final first leg on Thursday night.
After scoring, he performed Ronaldo’s signature celebration before joining his teammates in their celebrations. ..Continue Reading
The Manchester United forward, who joined the club in a £72 million transfer from Atalanta in 2023, clarified after the match that his actions were not meant as a gesture of disrespect toward Ronaldo.
When asked if he was offended by Hojlund’s actions, Ronaldo said at a press conference on Saturday: ‘For me, it’s not a problem.
‘I know it wasn’t an act of disrespect. I’m smart enough to realise that. ‘Not only him, all over the world, several athletes celebrate me.
‘For me it’s an honour, but I hope he can see my celebration tomorrow.’
Speaking after copying Ronaldo’s celebration on Thursday, Hojlund said: ‘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.
‘I remember him scoring from a free kick in 2011 when I went to watch the match, and since then I’ve been a huge Cristiano fan.’
Portugal will face Denmark in the second leg of their Nations League quarter-final clash in Lisbon on Sunday evening.
Ronaldo, on his part, has brushed off claims that he would feel disappointed if he didn’t manage to score, focusing instead on helping Portugal overcome Denmark and secure a place in the Nations League semi-finals.
‘We have played well in many games. I don’t believe there isn’t a teammate who doesn’t want to play well or score. Sometimes things just don’t work out,’ Ronaldo said.
‘If I score tomorrow, thank you very much. If another player scores, it’s the same. If I don’t play and someone else plays, it’s the same for me.
‘I’ve always said that and it will always be the same, even when I’m no longer here. I will defend Portugal until the death. If the team wins and I don’t score, I’ll go home happy.
‘Anyone who is proud to represent this symbol must have ambition. We lost the first half and I have never lost in the first half. Tomorrow is the second half.
‘It was not the first time we lost in Denmark, there are days when nothing happened, I did not play at all, the team did not play at all. Tomorrow, I want to leave with my head held high, which means progressing in the tie.’
