Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund copied Cristiano Ronaldo, by performing his signature “Siu” celebration after netting the profitable objective in Denmark’s 1-0 conquer Portugal within the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final.
With Ronaldo on the pitch for all the match, Hojlund’s celebration rapidly turned a significant speaking level, with solutions that the Danish striker supposed to mock the legendary striker.
Cristiano Ronaldo might be seen watching the Man United striker copy his celebration from the opposite finish of the pitch, together with his arms positioned on his hips.
Nonetheless, the Hojlund was fast to make clear that his gesture was purely a tribute to his admiration for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and never supposed as a taunt.
Rasmus Hojlund: No intentions to mock Cristiano Ronaldo
Højlund brazenly acknowledged that Ronaldo performed an important position in shaping his ardour for soccer, recalling a vivid reminiscence from 2011 when he witnessed the Portuguese icon rating a wide ranging free kick.
Hojlund instructed Danish broadcaster TV2 after the sport (quotes through ESPN):
“It’s for my idol. It wasn’t to mock him or something. He’s had such a big impact on me and my soccer profession. Possibly it’s a bit ambivalent, however to attain towards him and Portugal, it’s large.
“I bear in mind him scoring from a free kick in 2011 once I went to look at the match, and since then I’ve been an enormous Cristiano fan.”
Whereas this second on the worldwide stage was a particular one, Hojlund’s membership kind at Manchester United has been a rollercoaster this season.
The 22-year-old arrived at Previous Trafford in the summertime of 2023 from Atalanta in a high-profile £64 million switch, with the expectation of changing into the group’s major goal-scoring risk.
He began brightly, making an instantaneous influence within the Champions League with objectives towards Bayern Munich and Galatasaray. He additionally etched his identify into Premier League historical past by changing into the youngest participant to attain in six consecutive league video games.
Nonetheless, this season has been marked by inconsistency, with an prolonged objective drought casting doubt over his kind. Regardless of going through criticism, the younger striker has displayed flashes of brilliance, showcasing his potential to steer United’s assault sooner or later.
Thus far within the ongoing marketing campaign, Hojlund has recorded eight objectives and two assists in 39 appearances throughout all competitions.
As United push for Europa League success, followers will hope that his latest heroics for Denmark function a turning level, permitting him to seek out his greatest kind and encourage the Purple Devils—simply as his idol Ronaldo as soon as did in his illustrious profession at Previous Trafford.
