Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund was the star of Denmark’s victory over Portugal in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final at Parken Stadium on Friday (21/3). Interestingly, Hojlund chose to celebrate like his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The match between Denmark and Portugal was a tight affair from the start. Denmark missed a chance to take the lead midway through the first half when Christian Eriksen’s penalty was saved.
Rasmus Hojlund finally gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the 78th minute. The striker latched on to a pass from Andreas Skov Olsen.
After scoring, Hojlund gave Cristiano Ronaldo his iconic celebration. Meanwhile, Ronaldo, who was on the pitch, could only watch from afar.
The score remained 1-0 until the final whistle. The result leaves Denmark well placed for next week’s return leg at Portugal’s home ground.
Rasmus Hojlund Idolai Cristiano Ronaldo
Apparently, Hojlund was not making fun of Ronaldo. In an interview some time ago, Hojlund confirmed that he really does idolise CR7.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is everything to me. I fell in love with football because of Ronaldo,” Hojlund said, according to Fabrizio Romano.
“I became a Manchester United fan because of Ronaldo. I started working out on my own because of Ronaldo. I do push-ups and sit-ups every day before I go to bed because of Ronaldo. I want to be Ronaldo,” he continued.
Rasmus Hojlund didn’t mean to mock Cristiano Ronaldo
Meanwhile, speaking after the match, Hojlund reiterated that Ronaldo is his idol. So what he did was not to mock Ronaldo.
“I played against the best footballer in the world, my idol, scored a goal and won the game. It couldn’t be better,” Hojlund told TV2.
“It’s for my idol. It’s not like I’m making fun of him or anything. I just always say that he was very important for me and my football career.
“It might seem counterintuitive, but to score against him and Portugal is unbelievable. I was there and I saw it in 2009 when Ronaldo scored from a free-kick. I have been a fan ever since.
Now Rasmus Hojlund is well on the way to following in Cristiano Ronaldo’s footsteps. What is more, the 22-year-old striker now plays for Manchester United, the team that made Ronaldo famous.
