Manchester United and Napoli striker Rasmus Hojlund candidly opened up about the significant meaning behind his all-important pre-match ritual even before he steps on the pitch.
Rasmus Hojlund is at Napoli after his deadline-day move to the defending Serie A champions, with the Italian outfit taking him out on loan for the 2025-26 season.
Napoli have an obligation to buy Hojlund if certain conditions are met during his loan spell, including securing Champions League football for the 2026-27 campaign.
Manchester United agreed with Napoli on a clause that would make the 22-year-old Danish forward’s move permanent to Naples for a transfer fee of £38m in 2026.
Hojlund has been afforded the chance to kick-start his career again under Napoli manager Antonio Conte after his disappointing two seasons at Old Trafford.
Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty ImagesMan Utd and Napoli star Rasmus Hojlund shares the incredible reason why he commits to one pre-match ritual
Rasmus Hojlund made an impact for Napoli in his very first match after his loan move, with Antonio Conte immediately starting the striker against Fiorentina.
The Manchester United loanee netted on his debut in Napoli’s 3-1 Serie A win over Fiorentina at the Artemio Franchi Stadium earlier this month.
Hojlund has made three appearances across all competitions for Napoli since his summer transfer and is expected to play a key role for Conte this season.
The Napoli summer signing spoke with La Repubblica and was asked if he had any pre-match rituals, with Hojlund explaining what he does before he takes to the pitch.
Hojlund revealed that he will pray to his late grandmother, Bodil, by looking up to the sky where the stars are and seek her support for a “little luck” before he plays.
“Before I step onto the pitch, I look at the stars and pray, asking for help from my grandmother Bodil,” he said, as per Tuttomercatoweb.
“She passed away six years ago. I pray for her guidance and also for a little luck.”
Rasmus Hojlund shows his true colours about Napoli after leaving Man Utd for his season-long loan
Hojlund previously played in Italy with Atalanta before United came in and signed the Denmark international for a whopping £72m transfer fee in 2023.
Speaking about his return to Italy, Napoli striker Hojlund admitted that he felt the spine-tingling aura in Naples during his spell with Serie A outfit Atalanta.
“There’s a special football culture here. I felt it right away when I came to Naples for the first time as an opponent, with Atalanta,” he said, as per Tuttomercatoweb.
“The fans were crazy and very passionate, which makes them different from the others.
“The city is truly beautiful; the climate is wonderful. But above all, I found a family atmosphere, which is what I needed at this point in my career.”
United star Hojlund has spent two seasons at Old Trafford and the former Atalanta forward has only netted 26 times in 95 appearances for the Premier League club.