Cristiano Ronaldo has addressed Rasmus Højlund’s decision to imitate his signature celebration during Denmark’s 1-0 victory over Portugal in the Nations League on Thursday.
Højlund’s 78th-minute goal proved to be the decisive moment of the match. Given his struggles in front of goal for Manchester United this season, scoring for his country was a special moment. In his excitement, the Danish forward celebrated by mimicking Ronaldo’s iconic gesture—a move that led to accusations that he was "mocking" the Portuguese star.
However, Højlund quickly clarified that his actions were out of admiration rather than disrespect, calling Ronaldo his "idol." Now, the 40-year-old has personally responded to the situation.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Portugal’s rematch with Denmark on Sunday, Ronaldo dismissed any controversy, saying:
"Højlund doing my celebration is not a problem. I know it wasn’t out of disrespect. I understand that not only him, but in all sports, there are people who celebrate like me. I hope that tomorrow he’ll be the one to see me celebrate!"
Despite his legendary status, Ronaldo’s recent performances have sparked debate among football fans, with some questioning whether his presence is still beneficial to the Portuguese national team. After a disappointing outing against Denmark, the veteran forward will be eager to silence his critics with a stronger performance in their upcoming clash.