Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from Portugal’s Nations League clash with Denmark hasn’t gone unnoticed. With Ronaldo missing from the lineup, Denmark rival Rasmus Højlund decided to celebrate with his idol’s iconic “Siuuu” gesture. The moment was followed by an awkward exchange between Højlund and Jorge Jesus after the final whistle, and now a separate message has gone viral online. Højlund, however, has stepped in to deny that he made the statement.

On October 2, an X account, @TouchnineX_, shared a screenshot of a post carrying a message attributed to Højlund.

“I just wanted to send a strong message to the Portuguese national team which is that if they do not value Cristiano there are many people around the world whom he has inspired and who still admire him,” the alleged statement read.

The message was presented as Højlund’s reaction to the situation involving Ronaldo and quickly circulated online. The screenshot also included a reply from Højlund’s official Instagram Handle.

“I didn’t say this,” Højlund commented on the post.

The message came just after Højlund’s own Ronaldo tribute in Denmark’s 4-2 loss to Portugal. The Napoli attacker broke through the Portugal defence in the 53rd minute and went completely alone in front of the keeper.

Højlund lifted the ball over the advancing keeper and into the net to bring Denmark level at 2-2. He then ran toward the touchline and mimicked Ronaldo’s iconic “Siuuu” celebration.

The celebration didn’t take long to attract attention as Ronaldo was already out of Portugal’s squad. Højlund later explained that the gesture was a tribute to his idol. “I just wanted to dedicate my goal to my idol,” Højlund said. “For everything Cristiano is going through at this point in his career, he will never be forgotten.”

The Danish striker’s admiration for Ronaldo is also not new. Højlund previously celebrated in the same style during Denmark’s 1-0 win over Portugal in the 2024-25 Nations League quarter-final first leg, when Ronaldo himself was on the pitch. But this time, Højlund’s celebration came against the backdrop of Ronaldo’s sudden departure from the Portugal camp and the growing attention around his situation with Jesus.

After Denmark’s 4-2 defeat to Portugal on October 1, the players and coaching staff gathered for the usual post-match handshakes. When Højlund came face-to-face with Jesus, the two shook hands before Højlund appeared to give the Portugal coach a light push on the chest as he walked away.

Jesus did not appear angry and was seen smiling afterward. The timing, however, drew attention because of the events surrounding Ronaldo in the days leading up to the match.

Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp in Copenhagen on September 30, one day before the Nations League meeting with Denmark. His departure came shortly after Jesus told reporters that Ronaldo would not start against Denmark.

The situation had already been developing after Portugal’s 2-1 win over Norway on September 27. Ronaldo remained on the bench for the entire match, despite Jesus saying he had considered using him. 

Ronaldo then trained separately from the rest of the squad. Jesus said the forward was doing individual gym work focused on mobility and strengthening and denied that Ronaldo had refused to train.

On September 30, Jesus confirmed that Gonçalo Ramos would start against Denmark, leaving Ronaldo outside the starting lineup once again. Shortly afterward, Ronaldo announced that he had left the training camp.

Ronaldo addressed the decision himself on Instagram, saying that after the national team manager’s press conference and a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença, he had decided to leave the camp.

He added that he would explain the reasons for his decision “in due course.” Jesus and Proença later reportedly went to Copenhagen airport in an unsuccessful attempt to persuade Ronaldo to remain with the squad. With that background surrounding the Portugal team, Højlund’s actions against Jesus and his Ronaldo celebration naturally received extra attention.