Portugal lost to Denmark by a slim margin of 0-1 on the road in the opening leg of the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League quarterfinals.
Even though the renowned forward started and played the entire ninety minutes, Cristiano Ronaldo was unable to create an impression and eventually watched as Denmark won the two-leg match.
Unexpectedly, the main topic of conversation that evening wasn’t his performance but rather a well-known celebration that was used against him.
Ronaldo Battles Under Duress: An Unforgettable Evening
Ronaldo, who is 39, still has the full support of Roberto Martínez, the head coach of Portugal, who gave him a starting position as a central striker once more.
Ronaldo, however, felt alone and irritated by Denmark’s intense high pressing and compact defensive formation.
Ronaldo’s stats from matches:
0 on target in 2 shots
24 passes and 30 touches
One missed attempt at dribbling
Dispossessed twice
One ground battle—lost
After a cross from the right, he had a chance to score in the 35th minute, but his header missed the mark.
Ronaldo was mostly a spectator after that, unable to create space or pace during transitions and being closely marked by the Danish defense.
Ronaldo’s last goalless appearance for Portugal in a competitive national team match was more than a year ago, thus this is one of his most nondescript displays in recent memory. He now appeared to be lagging behind a physically strong, well-trained Denmark team.
Højlund’s “Siu” celebration steals the show
Denmark took advantage of Portugal’s defensive slip in the 79th minute. Rasmus Højlund, a striker for Manchester United, grabbed a low cross and sent the ball past the goalie to give the home team a vital 1-0 lead.
In front of the Portuguese captain, Højlund turned to the corner flag and imitated Ronaldo’s famous “Siu” celebration, which swiftly went viral.
On social media, the incident immediately generated discussion. A younger striker who has openly admired Ronaldo paid tribute to him, according to some.
Given the timing and Ronaldo’s expressionless response—he stood close by, staring blankly—some perceived it as a purposeful act of provocation.
Despite being hot in the club, Ronaldo’s form gap raises eyebrows in the country
It’s important to remember that Ronaldo has been playing at the highest level of his career. His effectiveness has been evident, as he has already scored over 30 goals for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia this season and has a strong national team record of 5 goals and 1 assist in his last 5 games.
However, Ronaldo was out of sync against Denmark; the opposition’s tempo, physicality, and structure seemed to overwhelm him.
When Portugal’s all-time best scorer was neutralized, their attacking threat vanished, proving that their over-reliance on him had backfired.
Is Ronaldo Still Sure to Start?
Even though Ronaldo is a legend, there are growing concerns over his automatic starting position. Many people are wondering why younger players like Pedro Neto, Diogo Jota, and Gonçalo Ramos aren’t given greater responsibility in important games.
When results don’t materialize, Martínez’s unshakeable faith in Ronaldo is now being accused as being too sentimental and tactically conservative.
Although Ronaldo’s expertise is still valuable at almost forty, there is growing public discussion over his ability to lead the line consistently in intense knockout matches.
Time Waits for No One, But Legacy Untouchable
For one of the greatest football players in history, this might just be a bad night. It serves as a sobering reminder, though, that even icons are susceptible to the effects of time.
The difficulty facing Portugal is striking a balance between the need to establish a post-Ronaldo era and reverence for Ronaldo’s legacy. The decision of whether to continue or pass the torch is more pressing than ever for the man himself.
In the second leg or following this summer’s European Championship, that solution might become more apparent.