Denmark faced Portugal in Copenhagen on Thursday for the first leg of the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal. Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United, who entered the match as a substitute, netted the decisive goal in the 78th minute, securing a 1-0 victory for Denmark. However, his celebration sparked some controversy.

Following his goal, the young forward sprinted to the corner and executed Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous ‘Siu’ celebration, while the Al Nassr player was present on the pitch for Portugal, observing the moment.

‘Wasn’t to mock him': Rasmus Hojlund

After the match, Hojlund spoke to reporters, stating, “This is for my idol. It was not intended to mock him in any way. He has significantly influenced my life and football career. It may seem a bit contradictory, but scoring against him and Portugal is monumental for me.”

He further recalled, “I remember watching him score from a free kick in 2011, and since that moment, I have been a devoted fan of Cristiano.”

On another note, Ronaldo, now 40 years old, has faced criticism from some supporters regarding his ongoing selection for the Portugal national team.

In response to this, Portugal's head coach Roberto Martinez elaborated on his choice to keep Ronaldo in the lineup. In an interview with Coaches Voice, he remarked, “When assessing a player like Cristiano Ronaldo, I consider three essential factors. His talent is undeniable; he ranks among the greatest in football history. His experience is unparalleled, being the only player to have participated in six European Championships and to have over 200 international appearances.”

“However, what truly distinguishes him is his dedication. His enthusiasm for representing Portugal is infectious and inspires the entire squad. He is not in the team today based on his past achievements, but rather for what he continues to contribute: he remains the top scorer with 17 goals in the 21 matches we have played over the past two years.”

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