Cristiano Ronaldo has dismissed any concerns over Denmark’s Rasmus Hojlund copying his iconic “siu” celebration after scoring the winning goal against Portugal in the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final on Thursday. The 40-year-old Portuguese captain emphasized that he took no offense, calling it an “honor” to see his celebration replicated globally.
Hojlund, who plays for Manchester United, netted the decisive goal in Denmark’s 1-0 victory, sparking discussions after he performed Ronaldo’s trademark celebration. The 21-year-old striker later clarified that he was not mocking his “idol” Ronaldo, a sentiment echoed by the five-time Ballon d’Or winner himself.
“For me, it is not a problem,” Ronaldo said during a press conference ahead of Sunday’s second leg in Lisbon. “This is not because he doesn’t have respect for me. I’m smart enough to understand that not only him, but around the world, other sportspeople do my celebration. For me, it’s an honor. But I hope that tomorrow you can see my celebration, not [that] I still see his celebration.”
Ronaldo, who now plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, also addressed the tense atmosphere surrounding the Portugal squad following their lackluster performance in the first leg. He defended head coach Roberto Martinez, urging critics to remain calm and focus on the upcoming match.
“I think it’s unfair to criticize the coach because we’re all in the same boat,” Ronaldo said. “We lost the game and played badly, but we have the second leg tomorrow. Calm down. Think positive and think that things will go well.”
Portugal will look to overturn the deficit and secure a spot in the Nations League semi-finals when they host Denmark at the Estádio da Luz on Sunday. Ronaldo’s comments have set the stage for a high-stakes clash, with fans eagerly anticipating whether the veteran forward will deliver a performance worthy of his iconic celebration.
As the football world watches, Ronaldo’s gracious response to Hojlund’s tribute has once again highlighted his enduring influence on the sport, even as he continues to compete at the highest level.
