How Cristiano Ronaldo reacted to Rasmus Hojlund copying his ‘Siu’ celebration
Hojlund said he it was 'showing respect'...
Manchester United star Rasmus Hojlund insists he did not intent to disrespect Cristiano Ronaldo after hitting his trademark ‘Siu’ celebration in Denmark’s victory over Portugal.
The 22-year-old coolly slotted home after 78 minutes to give the Danes a famous victory in their Nations League clash on Thursday night.
It was Hojlund’s second goal in two matches for club and country having opened the scoring in United’s 3-0 victory over Leicester City on Sunday with another smart finish.
That goal ended an incredible run of 21 games without a goal with the striker carrying that form into the international break.
Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes in the Nations League quarter-final first leg clash and was seen watching on with his hands on his hips as Hojlund hit his celebration in front of the home crowd.
Get personalised updates on Manchester United every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.
But the United star, a die-hard Ronaldo fan since the age of seven, later insisted it was not an attempt to troll the Portuguese legend, rather a ‘sign of respect’.
‘I’ve always dreamed of doing Ronaldo’s cheering scene – especially towards him,’ Hojlund told Tipsbladet.
‘Not that it was meant to be arrogant. On the contrary, it was meant as respect. I’m a bit of a fanboy, says Rasmus Højlund and continues:
‘He has meant everything to my career. I became a Manchester United fan because of him, I started watching Real Madrid and Juventus because of him.
‘I also remember seeing a picture of him in his underwear, and then I thought, “Okay, I want to look like that too.”
‘So I started doing push-ups and sit-ups every day before I went to bed.
‘My best friend was also at the stadium today, and we’ve always been fans of his. So scoring and doing his celebration scene was a little ambivalent, but also kind of cool.’
United will hope Hojlund can maintain his improving form after the international break having scored just three Premier League goals all season.
The Europa League has proved to be mores successful hunting ground, however, having scored five in 10.
That competition is United’s last remaining hope of salvaging some silverware this season and their only chance of securing Champions League qualification.
They face Lyon in the quarter-final stages next month and will face either Rangers or Athletic Club in the semis if they get past the Ligue 1 outfit.
