Hojlund on leaving Man United for Napoli, differences in Serie A, Conte and Lukaku | OneFootball

Rasmus Hojlund has given an honest assessment of his career to date, has spoken about the differences between playing in Serie A and the Premier League, and has opened up on his goals after leaving Manchester United to join Napoli earlier this summer.

The Denmark international, who left Atalanta to join Man United two summers ago, is now back in Serie A, signing with Napoli on loan with a potential obligation to buy in a deal that could end up costing the Partenopei €50m.

Hojlund: ‘I still don’t feel like a complete centre-forward even at 22’

Hojlund sat down for an in-depth interview with La Repubblica, published on Friday, during which he assessed his career thus far and the objectives he hopes to achieve after sealing his Serie A return.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 17: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli inspects the pitch during a stadium familiarisation ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 against Manchester City at City of Manchester Stadium on September 17, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

Hojlund spoke honestly when asked for his childhood sporting memories, and has admitted that he still has plenty of improving to do at the age of 22.

“I don’t have a great memory, but if I close my eyes, I see myself in the car with my dad criticising me after a bad game on the way home: ‘You have to give more if you really want to become a professional’,” Hojlund said.

“He almost never said ‘Well done Rasmus’. Time has proved him right. I still don’t feel like a complete centre-forward, even now that I’m 22 and playing for Napoli.”

Despite feeling the need to improve, Hojlund feels that he has already become an ‘experienced’ centre-forward after playing in four different countries. He already has Atalanta, Man United and Napoli on his CV, as well as his early days with Copenhagen.

“I also played in Austria before that,” Hojlund added. “I’ve got quite a lot of experience at 22, but now I’m at Napoli and plan to stay.”

Where does Hojlund feel the differences lie between the Premier League and Serie A?

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 02: Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United in action during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Crystal Palace FC at Old Trafford on February 02, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

“It’s how I remember it from my season with Atalanta. Football is very tactical here, there are lots of man-to-man duels. The pace is a bit quicker in the Premier League, everyone is fast, strong and physically explosive. If I had to point out a difference between the two leagues, that’s what it is.”

And what does the future hold for Hojlund under Antonio Conte at Napoli?

“I want to become a striker who scores lots of goals. I’ve improved a lot in my role in recent years, and I think I have good qualities, but I still have a lot to learn.”

Hojlund on Ronaldo inspiration and Scandinavian talent

Hojlund went on to explain why Cristiano Ronaldo is his biggest inspiration on a sporting level, and also named his favourite strikers in the world and in Serie A.

“I’ve never felt like the most talented in the group, even if you have to be at a certain level to play for a team like United or Napoli. I’ve always had to work harder than the others, I’m aware of that. That’s why Cristiano is my idol. He always wants to improve and works hard to become even better.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Nico Gonzalez of Manchester City has a headed shot whilst under pressure from Rasmus Hojlund of Napoli during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester City and SSC Napoli at City of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

“In the whole world, the best for me are Ronaldo, Haaland, Lewandowski and Gyokeres. In Serie A, I’d go with Lukaku, Vlahovic and Lautaro Martinez. Then there’s me, Rasmus.”

What does Hojlund make of the current wave of talented Scandinavian centre-forwards starring at the very highest level of the game.

“We’ve always been physical naturally, and now physicality is becoming increasingly important for this role. We’ve also created excellent academies over the last 20 years, which have trained a lot of quality players. I mentioned Haaland and Gyokeres, but there’s also Sorloth, Isak, Harder.”

What does football mean for Rasmus Hojlund?

“Passion, a desire to win. The pleasure of sharing the ride with your teammates, coach, club, staff, fans. More than anything, though, you have to have fun. That’s the reason you start playing football, and at this level, it’s easy to forget about that unfortunately.”

Hojlund on learning from Conte and Lukaku

Has Hojlund encountered any difficulties in returning to Serie A after a two-year spell in England?

“I’ve lost a bit of familiarity with your language, especially when I have to speak it” Hojlund admitted. “But on the pitch, I understand basically everything and that’s the most important thing.

“(Conte) knows that I have to improve my Italian, and he always asks me: ‘Is it clear, do you understand?’. I always say yes, but if I have any doubts, I go and ask one of my teammates.”

FLORENCE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Antonio Conte manager of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring a goal with Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Artemio Franchi on September 13, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

How has Hojlund taken to the role of ‘replacing’ Romelu Lukaku for Napoli this season?

“It’s not just me, we have other good strikers at Napoli like Lucca and Ambrosino. We’re eagerly awaiting Lukaku’s return, we’ve all got things to learn from him.”

What does Hojlund expect from Napoli’s upcoming clash away against Massimiliano Allegri’s Milan?

“It will be a really important game. We’ll play a really strong team, which seems to be playing really well under their new coach. We’ll go there and try to get the most out of it. There’s a big responsibility stepping out onto the pitch after winning the Scudetto. It’s a privilege as well.”

And what has Hojlund made of the success that Scott McTominay has found in Serie A with Napoli after leaving Manchester United last summer.

“He’s always the same Scott in his everyday life, a very good guy, a nice guy. He’s grown a lot on the pitch after playing in Italy. My goal is to replicate his journey.”