Cristiano Ronaldo’s worst night ever? Humiliation, criticism and Hojlund’s siu celebration

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 21 Mar 2025 03:21 CDT
• 4 min read

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Cristiano Ronaldo endured one of his darkest moments as a Portugal player on Thursday as he was part of a team that suffered a 1-0 loss to Denmark in Copenhagen.

Although he seemed to advise goalkeeper Diogo Costa correctly which way to dive to stop a Christian Eriksen penalty in the first half, Roberto Martinez’s side were comprehensively outplayed and lucky to leave for the second leg of their Nations League quarter-final still in with a fighting chance of progression.

READ MORE: Ronaldo RAGES! All change at Al-Nassr after Cristiano replaced?

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Ronaldo’s personal performance also came under scrutiny at home, with the local media questioning the merit in the 40-year-old playing the full match.

“Leaving Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch for 90 minutes at the age of 40 – the Portuguese certainly haven’t forgotten Euro 2024 – was outrageous!” A Bola says.

“It was time for Martinez to explain to Ronaldo that he can’t play 90 minutes in every game for the national team. He can’t. Period.

“It’s one thing to have a place in the national team, but Portugal can’t remain hostage to this situation. It needs to prepare for the future… now!”

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Hojlund on Ronaldo celebration

To rub salt in Ronaldo’s wound, the winning goal was scored by his heir at Manchester United, Rasmus Hojlund, who courted controversy when he performed the ‘sui’ celebration that has become a trademark of CR7 after netting the only goal.

Hojlund, who has been struggling to find form for Man Utd, came off the bench to score the only goal of the match.

It was a decision that sparked accusations that the 22-year-old was trying to humiliate the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

READ MORE: How many goals has Cristiano Ronaldo scored in his career?

Hojlund says that he was not making fun of Ronaldo but instead did the celebration as a form of praise for the 40-year-old, who currently plays with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

“It was not to mock him or anything, I've always said he has had great importance for me and my football career,” Hojlund told Danish broadcaster TV2.

“I'm playing against the world's best footballer, my idol, and to score and become the [match] winner, it couldn't be better.

“Scoring against him and Portugal is huge, I went to see him in 2009, where he scored from a free-kick, and I've been a fan ever since.”

Despite Hojlund’s protests, there is little doubt that his celebration only made a difficult night for Ronaldo and Portugal even worse.