Napoli striker Rasmus Hojlund has opened up about his football journey, his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo, and the players he considers among the best in the world. The Danish forward, still only 22, reflected on his struggles at Manchester United, his resurgence in Serie A, and the inspiration that drives him forward.
Hojlund admitted that he has never seen himself as the most gifted player in his teams. Instead, his rise to the top has been built on determination, resilience, and relentless work — qualities he identifies with his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo.
“In my career, I’ve never felt like the most talented player in the group. I’ve always had to work harder than others, and I’m aware of that. That’s why Cristiano is my idol: he always wants to improve and works hard to become better,” Hojlund told La Repubblica.
Ronaldo’s example continues to fuel Hojlund’s drive to improve, even after a difficult spell at Manchester United, where expectations and pressure weighed heavily on him.
Hojlund’s £72m move to United in 2023 was met with huge excitement, but he found life in the Premier League challenging. His spell at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim failed to meet expectations, and despite initially resisting a transfer, he eventually returned to Serie A to join Napoli on loan.
The move has given him a fresh start — and he’s already delivering. The Danish striker scored on his Napoli debut in a 3-1 win against Fiorentina, quickly settling into the squad as they top the Serie A table with a perfect record.
When asked about his favourite players beyond Ronaldo, Hojlund didn’t hesitate to name Erling Haaland and Viktor Gyokeres, the latter fresh off winning the Gerd Müller Trophy after scoring 54 goals in a sensational season for Sporting CP and Sweden.
“In my opinion, the best players in the world are Cristiano Ronaldo, Haaland, Lewandowski, and Gyokeres. In Serie A, I’d choose Lukaku, Vlahovic, Lautaro Martinez, and then there’s me, Rasmus,” he said with a smile.
Having now played in both Italy and England, Hojlund also offered an interesting comparison of the two leagues:
Serie A: “Very tactical, with lots of man-on-man duels.”
Premier League: “Faster pace, stronger, more physically explosive players.”
For Hojlund, adapting to both has been part of his growth, but his return to Serie A has clearly reignited his confidence.
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