Denmark star who mimicked Ronaldo’s iconic ‘Siuuu’ celebration forced to clarify his intentions after disrespect claims

Rasmus Højlund had already put Denmark back on level terms against Portugal when he chose to celebrate his goal in a way that immediately drew attention beyond the scoreline. With Cristiano Ronaldo having left the Portugal camp only a day earlier following his dispute with Jorge Jesus, Højlund performed the Portuguese captain’s famous “Siuuu” celebration in Copenhagen, prompting criticism that quickly turned into questions about what the Danish striker was trying to say./Højlund said the celebration was a tribute to his idolHøjlund scored in the 53rd minute of Denmark’s Nations League meeting with Portugal, bringing the hosts level at 2–2 before breaking into Ronaldo’s trademark celebration in front of the crowd.The gesture came only a day after Ronaldo had left the Portugal national team camp following Jorge Jesus’ press conference, making Højlund’s decision to copy the celebration particularly noticeable given the circumstances surrounding the Portuguese captain’s departure.The Denmark striker was subsequently forced to address suggestions that he had disrespected Portugal by using Ronaldo’s celebration, insisting that his intention had been to honour a player he has regarded as a role model since childhood.“I did it [the celebration] as a tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo, after everything that happened to him,” Højlund said after Denmark’s defeat.“I just wanted to honour him. He's my role model. There was no disrespect to the Portugal team.”Højlund later made the same point when explaining the gesture in greater detail, saying that he wanted to dedicate the goal to Ronaldo and make clear that his admiration for the 41-year-old had nothing to do with mocking Portugal.“I just wanted to dedicate my goal to my idol. For everything Cristiano is going through at this point in his career, he will never be forgotten,” Højlund said.The gesture was not entirely new from the Danish forward, who had also performed Ronaldo’s celebration when Denmark and Portugal met in March, although Ronaldo was on the pitch on that occasion.Højlund's admiration for Ronaldo goes back to childhoodHøjlund’s decision to celebrate in Ronaldo’s familiar style was rooted in an admiration that predates his own career at the highest level, with the striker having spoken about the Portuguese forward when he joined Manchester United in the summer of 2023.Højlund ultimately missed the opportunity to play alongside Ronaldo at Old Trafford by seven months, but he had already made clear that Ronaldo had been one of the players who shaped his own ambitions as a young footballer.“My father introduced me when I was not so young,” Højlund told Sky Sports after arriving at Manchester United.“He introduced me to Cristiano Ronaldo, and wanted me to idolise him because he has a good mentality ... for me [Ronaldo] is the best player ever.”That history helps explain why Højlund chose Ronaldo’s celebration on a night when the Portuguese forward’s absence from the opposite team was impossible to ignore, particularly after the circumstances of his departure had dominated the build-up to the match.Ronaldo had left Portugal’s camp on Wednesday after the press conference held by Jesus, having been an unused substitute during Portugal’s 2–1 victory over Norway earlier in the week.According to El Chiringuito journalist Edu Aguirre, Jesus had promised Ronaldo that he would publicly acknowledge his mistake over not bringing him off the bench against Norway, but subsequently did not do so during the press conference.Aguirre’s account said that the failure to follow through on that promise contributed to Ronaldo deciding to leave the national team camp, with the veteran forward later saying that he would explain the full reasons for his departure “in due time”.Højlund and Jesus had an awkward exchange after the final whistleThe Ronaldo connection appeared to carry into Højlund’s interaction with Jesus after the match, although the exact nature of the exchange was not immediately clear.Television footage showed Højlund appearing to shove Jesus away when the Portugal coach approached him for a handshake, with the Danish striker then saying a few words before walking away.Jesus appeared to dismiss the uncomfortable exchange with a smile, while Højlund seemed visibly more animated during the interaction, creating another talking point after a match that had already been surrounded by the fallout from Ronaldo’s departure.The sequence led to suggestions that Højlund had taken the treatment of his childhood idol personally, although his own explanation after the match focused on the celebration as an expression of admiration rather than an attempt to provoke Portugal or its coach.Portugal responded by winning 4–2 in CopenhagenWhatever tension surrounded Højlund’s celebration and his exchange with Jesus, Portugal ultimately had the stronger finish to the match.After Denmark had restored parity at 2–2 through Højlund, Portugal responded with goals from Vitinha and João Félix to secure a 4–2 victory in Copenhagen.The result gave Portugal complete control of Group 4A, putting them on nine points while Denmark, Norway and Wales remained on three points each as Portugal continued their defence of the Nations League title.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. 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