Rasmus Hojlund will hope his strong form for Denmark continues when they face Portugal in Braga on Saturday, with the Napoli striker looking to prove he can deliver consistently at the highest level.
Portugal’s match will be their first since Cristiano Ronaldo retired from international football, and Hojlund is one of the players who could eventually be viewed as a successor to the former Manchester United forward.
Hojlund joined Manchester United at Old Trafford in the summer of 2023, only a few months after Ronaldo’s second departure from the club. His time in the Premier League was difficult, however, and he has since moved to Napoli, who made the transfer permanent for €44 million.
The 23-year-old is still waiting for the breakthrough that would establish him among Europe’s leading forwards. He also missed the 2026 World Cup after Denmark failed to qualify, with his Napoli team-mate Scott McTominay playing a decisive part in Scotland’s crucial victory.
At international level, though, Hojlund has become Denmark’s main attacking reference point. He started all four of their matches in the opening rounds of the UEFA Nations League, playing 341 minutes and scoring three goals.
His record at club level tells a very different story. Hojlund has scored three times in 10 league appearances for Napoli this season. Those goals came against Monza and Frosinone, as well as in a defeat by Inter, when his strike was not enough to prevent Napoli losing.
He is still without a goal in the Champions League, despite starting four matches.
The pressure around his finishing was evident in Napoli’s most recent game, a 1-1 home draw with Lazio. Hojlund missed from less than a metre out, prompting an audible reaction from the Maradona crowd and further frustration around the club.
His lack of precision in front of goal has been a recurring concern. However, Napoli manager Massimiliano Allegri’s cautious approach has also limited the number of opportunities Hojlund receives inside the penalty area. Since the start of the year, he has had fewer touches in the opposition box than any other striker, a statistic that does little to address his biggest weakness.
Denmark provide a more suitable environment for his attacking game. Patrick Dorgu and Gustav Isaksen offer speed and width, while Mikkel Damsgaard’s forward passing creates the kind of service Hojlund rarely receives at Napoli.
Under Brian Riemer, Denmark play more directly and move the ball faster. Hojlund appears more comfortable controlling his pace when carrying possession, whereas at Napoli he is often criticised for moving faster than the ball and misjudging timing and distance.
The national team’s approach allows him to show his strengths as a powerful counter-attacking runner. He has produced similar bursts for Napoli, but must become more decisive in the penalty area.
Saturday’s meeting with Portugal could prove significant for both Hojlund and Denmark as they pursue a place in March’s Nations League quarter-finals.
