Cristiano Ronaldo responds to Rasmus Hojlund copying his celebration vs Portugal | Football

Cristiano Ronaldo insists he has no issue with Rasmus Hojlund copying his ‘Siu’ celebration after the Manchester United striker used it in Denmark’s 1-0 victory against Portugal this week.

Hojlund scored Denmark’s late winner in their Nations League first leg quarter final on Thursday night and pulled out Ronaldo’s iconic celebration before celebrating with his teammates.

The United striker, who was signed in a £72 million deal from Atalanta in 2023, insisted after the game that he was not trying to mock 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 host Denmark in the second leg of their Nations League quarter-final tie in Lisbon on Sunday night.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, has dismissed suggestions that he would be unhappy if he failed to score but Ronaldo beat Denmark to reach the Nations League semi final.

‘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.’

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