Ronaldo's retirement reshapes Portugal's future as Hojlund reflects
Cristiano Ronaldo's retirement from international soccer continues to generate reactions ahead of Portugal's upcoming UEFA Nations League meeting with Denmark, with Rasmus Hojlund among those reflecting on the Portuguese icon's departure. The Napoli striker has previously paid tribute to his childhood idol during encounters between the two national teams, but the latest meeting in Braga presents a different situation.
Saturday's encounter in Braga will be Portugal's first match since Ronaldo confirmed his departure from international soccer. The 41-year-old's absence marks a significant change for the national team, which must now move forward without the player who led it through some of its greatest achievements.
Ronaldo captained Portugal to its first major international trophy at Euro 2016 and helped the national team win the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025. His international career also included six World Cup appearances and numerous individual records that established him as one of soccer's most influential players.
Portugal enters the Denmark fixture in a strong position in Group A4, sitting top with 12 points from four matches and already guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals. Denmark occupies second place with six points and will be looking to strengthen their qualification hopes at the Estadio Municipal de Braga.
Speaking to Danish broadcaster TV 2, Hojlund expressed his disappointment that he would no longer have the opportunity to face Ronaldo in a Portugal shirt. The 23-year-old praised the forward's achievements and made it clear that the decision to retire deserved respect.
"It would have been great to play against him again. But it’s not our decision, and certainly not mine. It’s his. He had an absolutely incredible career with the national team. Congratulations to him on a fantastic career with the national team," Hojlund said, according to O Jogo.
Ronaldo announced his international retirement on November 5, bringing an extraordinary 23-year Portugal career to an end. He finished with 234 appearances and 146 goals, remaining the men's all-time record holder in both categories.
Hojlund reflects on Ronaldo's legacy
The conversation also turned to one of the most memorable moments from the previous meeting between the national teams. Asked whether he would perform Ronaldo's trademark 'Siuuu' celebration again if he scored in Braga, Hojlund suggested he would probably leave it out this time. "Probably not. We’ll have to analyze that, but I don’t think so," the Napoli forward replied.
The celebration first attracted attention during Denmark's 4-2 defeat against Portugal in Copenhagen on October 1. Hojlund scored his side's second goal to make it 2-2 in the 53rd minute before recreating Ronaldo's famous jump-and-turn routine. The gesture carried additional significance because Ronaldo had left Portugal's training camp shortly before that match following tensions surrounding his role under head coach Jorge Jesus.
Hojlund later explained that his celebration was intended as a sincere tribute to his idol rather than an attempt to provoke 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," Hojlund said after the October encounter.
The Copenhagen match also produced an uncomfortable moment after the final whistle, when footage appeared to show Hojlund lightly pushing Jesus in the chest during the post-match handshakes. The exchange attracted attention because of the controversy surrounding the veteran's departure from the Portugal camp, although neither man offered a detailed explanation.
Portugal defeated Denmark 4-2 without its captain, producing a historic attacking display that has made Ronaldo's absence impossible to ignore while simultaneously giving the national team another reason to believe in its new era.
No Points for Excuses
Ramos was asked whether Ronaldo's departure and the surrounding controversy had created additional pressure on the players, and his answer offered a clear indication of how the squad viewed the situation. In Denmark's 2–4 defeat to Portugal on Matchday 3 of the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League, striker Rasmus Hojlund scored a second-half equalizer and celebrated using Cristiano Ronaldo's iconic "Siuuu" gesture, later sharing a tense moment on the pitch with Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus.
Portugal take on Denmark at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen on Matchday 3 of the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League, but head coach Jorge Jesus must navigate the fixture without captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
