Hojlund shoves Portugal boss after Ronaldo tribute celebration in Denmark's 4-2 defeat

Rasmus Hojlund was involved in a heated touchline confrontation with Portugal manager Jorge Jesus after performing Cristiano Ronaldo’s trademark ‘Siu’ celebration during Denmark’s 4-2 Nations League defeat to Portugal in Copenhagen on Thursday. The Atalanta striker appeared to shove the 72-year-old Jesus after the Portugal boss struck him on the chest in a bizarre post-goal exchange.

Hojlund had just scored Denmark’s second goal when he wheeled away to mimic Ronaldo’s iconic celebration — a gesture that carries personal significance for the former Manchester United forward. The incident unfolded against a backdrop of growing tension within the Portugal camp, with Ronaldo having already departed the squad early following his omission from the starting line-up in a 2-1 win over Norway.

This is not the first time Hojlund has performed the Siu against Portugal. He did so after scoring a decisive goal earlier in 2025, and his own words make clear the gesture is one of admiration rather than mockery. “It’s for my idol,” Hojlund said at the time. “It wasn’t to mock him or anything. He’s had such a huge impact on me and my football career. Maybe it’s a bit ambivalent but to score against him and Portugal, it’s huge.”

Ronaldo responded graciously on that occasion, saying: “For me, it’s not a problem. I know it wasn’t an act of disrespect. I’m smart enough to realise that. Not only him, all over the world, several athletes celebrate me. For me, it’s an honour.”

The context surrounding Thursday’s celebration, however, is more charged. Jesus, who replaced Roberto Martinez as Portugal head coach in the summer on a four-year contract, is already navigating a public rift with Ronaldo. The 41-year-old was an unused substitute against Norway and subsequently announced his early departure from the training camp on social media.

“After the press conference of the national team and following a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team training camp,” Ronaldo wrote. “In time, I will tell all the Portuguese the truth about the reasons that motivated me to leave.”

With Ronaldo absent from the squad and tensions between the veteran forward and his manager already simmering publicly, Hojlund’s decision to reprise the Siu celebration — and the physical confrontation it triggered with Jesus on the touchline — added another layer of drama to what proved to be a comfortable Portugal victory.