Rasmus Hojlund says he was not going to mock his “idol” Cristiano Ronaldo after replying his party during the 1-0 Nations League victory of Denmark on Portugal.
Hojlund came from the bank to score the only goal in the first stage of the quarterfinals draw of the teams on Thursday and led the cross from Skov Olsen to the right corner.
The Spits of Manchester United responded by replicating Ronaldo's iconic 'Siu' celebration, but when he spoke with reporters after the game, he said that this was not an attempt to have fun with the five-fold balloon d'Or winner.
“It was not to mock him or something, I have always said that he had had a lot of importance for me and my football career,” Hojlund told TV2.
“I play against the world's best football player, my idol, and to score and to become the match winner, it can't be better.
“Scoring against him and Portugal is huge, I went to him in 2009, where he scored from a free kick, and since then I have been a fan.”
Hojlund had not scored since the beginning of December before he reached the back of Het Net in the last Premier League match of United against Leicester City, but he now has two goals in his last two performances for Club and Country.
He had more big chances (two) than any other player on the field on Thursday, while Ronaldo was limited to only two shots worth 0.09 expected goals (XG) and three details in the penalty area.
Portugal will welcome Denmark in the Estadio Jose Alvalade for the second stage of the draw on Sunday, with a semi -final meeting with Germany or Italy at stake.
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