Rasmus Hojlund says Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘the greatest in football history’ after Jorge Jesus incident

Rasmus Hojlund has denied that his exchange with Portugal manager Jorge Jesus was connected to Cristiano Ronaldo’s omission, saying the coach’s failure to acknowledge him after Thursday’s 2-2 draw was “unsporting”.

The Denmark striker spoke after his side’s 1-0 victory over Wales in Cardiff on Sunday, offering his first public explanation of the incident in Copenhagen.

Hojlund had scored Denmark’s equaliser against Portugal and celebrated with Ronaldo’s trademark “Siu” routine. Television footage then showed him lightly pushing Jorge Jesus in the chest during the post-match handshake.

Ronaldo had left Portugal’s camp a day before the game following a disagreement with Jorge Jesus over his decision not to select him. That prompted speculation that the two incidents were linked.

However, speaking to Danish broadcaster TV 2, Hojlund rejected that suggestion and said the contact was a response to being ignored by the Portugal manager.

“As we discussed after the Portugal match, my celebration was a tribute to Ronaldo,” he said. “The push had nothing to do with coach Jesus’ decision regarding Ronaldo. It was because he did not bother to look at me. I think that was unsporting.”

Hojlund said the customary handshake had not been properly observed.

“You should shake people’s hands properly after a football match,” he added. “I received a cold push to the chest and he completely ignored me. So I drew his attention by saying: ‘Hang on, are we serious?’ That was all it was.”

He also confirmed that his celebration had been intended specifically for Ronaldo, whom he regards as his footballing role model.

“Yes, the celebration was for my favourite star, Ronaldo,” Hojlund said. “I know you [the media] want catchy headlines, and that is what you get with him, but yes, [former Denmark player and broadcaster analyst] Poulsen knows that too.

“Even then, I was not afraid to say that Cristiano was my role model from his early days at Manchester United.”

Hojlund said Ronaldo’s departure from Manchester United had brought an unexpected twist to his own career.

“It is funny that, suddenly, half a year after Ronaldo left, I found myself almost having to take his place in some way,” he said. “So it has been a funny journey.

“As I said, I think he has an incredible mentality, and I hope Portugal and Cristiano can resolve things, because it would be unfortunate if it ended this way for the player.”

He concluded: “For me, Ronaldo is the greatest in the entire history of football.”

Hojlund and Denmark will face Portugal away again in the Nations League on 14 November. Jorge Jesus’ side won the previous meeting 4-2.