Cristiano Ronaldo was left watching on as Manchester United striker Rasmus Højlund performed his iconic ‘Siu’ celebration after scoring a decisive goal.

Højlund netted the only goal of the match in Denmark’s UEFA Nations League quarter-final first leg against Portugal, with Ronaldo leading the line for the opposition. The 22-year-old forward then added to Portugal’s frustration by mimicking the former Manchester United star’s signature celebration.

Højlund’s Tribute to Ronaldo or a Trolling Gesture?

Højlund had endured a three-month goal drought before finally breaking his barren spell in Manchester United’s recent victory over Leicester City. Now back among the goals, he converted Andreas Skov Olsen’s pass with a composed right-footed finish in the 78th minute to give Denmark a slender second-leg advantage.

Despite praising Ronaldo as one of his idols ahead of the match, Højlund’s celebration drew mixed reactions. While some believed it was a sign of admiration, others saw it as an act of provocation. Ronaldo himself appeared unimpressed, watching on with his hands on his hips.

Following the incident, fans took to social media to mock the 40-year-old Portuguese legend. One fan wrote: “Even Højlund is trolling him.” Another added: “Rasmus Højlund trolling Cristiano Ronaldo is the funniest thing I’ve ever seen. He’s a Championship player at best.”

However, Højlund clarified his intentions, insisting it was a tribute rather than mockery. Speaking to Danish outlet DR, he explained:

“Now, I’m not going to exaggerate, but Cristiano is everything to me. I fell in love with football because of Cristiano. I became a Manchester United fan because of Cristiano.

“I started self-training because of Cristiano—I did push-ups and sit-ups every night before bed because I wanted to be like him.”

Højlund also revealed how his father introduced him to Ronaldo at a young age, encouraging him to idolise the forward due to his winning mentality.

“That mentality is what made him so successful. He had talent, but it was his hard work that set him apart. I’ve seen interviews with former Manchester United players who said he wasn’t a complete footballer when he arrived. He was skilful, but he had to develop.”

A Childhood Dream Fulfilled

Later, Højlund took to Instagram, sharing a photo of his celebration with the caption:

“The seven-year-old fan in me might have taken over after I scored.”

While opinions remain divided over whether his celebration was a tribute or a dig, one thing is certain—Højlund made a statement on the pitch, and his admiration for Ronaldo remains unwavering.