The reason why Cristiano Ronaldo (40, Al Nassr), 'captain of the Portugal national team,' did not appear at the funeral of late Diogo Jota (age 29) has been revealed.
Portugal's 'Record' reported on the 5th (Korean time) that "Ronaldo has a reason for his absence from Jota's funeral. He has been continuously supporting Jota and Andre Silva's families since the moment he first learned of the accident that occurred on a Spanish highway."
Jota passed away unexpectedly in a car accident on the 3rd, alongside his brother Andre Silva. The BBC reported, citing Liverpool Football Club and local police in Spain, that "Jota died in a traffic accident on the A-52 highway near Zamora, Spain, together with his brother."
According to the police, the accident occurred at dawn on the 3rd local time. The Lamborghini they were riding in burst a tire while overtaking another vehicle, causing it to veer off the road, and the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The car was completely destroyed and the two died on the spot.
What makes Jota's death even more tragic is that he had just held his wedding with his longtime girlfriend Lute Cardoso about ten days ago. They began dating in 2012 and had three children together. They formally tied the knot in a church in Braga, northern Portugal, last week, becoming a couple. However, the happy wedding video shared by Jota became the last post on his social media before his passing.
The entire football community has been shocked and saddened by this tragic incident. Liverpool stated, "Cruelly, Jota's football career ended spectacularly with the Premier League championship and the UEFA Nations League victory. His jersey number 20 will be permanently retired to honor his contributions to Liverpool's 20th Premier League title in the 2024-2025 season," announcing the first permanent jersey retirement in club history.
Arne Slot, the Liverpool manager who lost a pupil, also said, "What can I say? The shock and pain are so vivid. Who can say anything at a time like this? I wish it were possible, but I know it isn’t." He added, "In due time, we will commemorate Jota, remember his goals, and sing his anthem. For now, we will remember him as a special person and mourn his passing. He will never be forgotten. His name is Diogo."
Particularly, teammates from the Portugal national team could not hide their sorrow. Ruben Neves wrote, "They say you have to forget a person to lose one. I will never forget you," and stated, "From today, you will enter the pitch with me. On the very stage where we first met, we will continue to walk the same path."
Ronaldo also expressed his grief on social media, saying, "It's unbelievable. We were together on the national team just until recently, and you just got married. My condolences to your family, wife, and children. I hope all the strength in the world reaches them. I know you will always be with them. Diogo and Andre, rest in peace (R.I.P). We will all miss you."
However, Ronaldo did not appear at the joint funeral for Jota and Silva. They were laid to rest in a church in Gondomar, Portugal, their hometown. Several Liverpool teammates and colleagues from the Portugal national team, including Virgil van Dijk, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Andy Robertson, attended the service.
However, Portugal's captain Ronaldo did not attend, which sparked controversy among fans. Neves, who rushed in from the U.S. immediately after finishing the Club World Cup schedule, personally carried Jota's coffin, leading to criticism that Ronaldo made a regrettable choice as captain. There were even reports that Ronaldo was on vacation on Mallorca Island in Spain, which kept him from attending.
However, Ronaldo also had personal reasons. The British 'Mirror' reported that "Ronaldo was concerned that his presence in the small town of Gondomar could overshadow the focus of the funeral. He has been spending time quietly with his family recently."
'Record' also stated, "Ronaldo's absence from the funeral of the two brothers stood out, especially because it garnered significant international attention. This could be explained by personal issues stemming from the emotional trauma he experienced when his father, Jose Dinis Aveiro, passed away in September 2005."
This means it was not merely a selfish choice to enjoy a vacation. 'Record' explained, "Ronaldo learned of his father's passing while the Portugal team was in Moscow, preparing for a match against Russia. He learned of the situation through the team's coach, Luis Felipe Scolari, and preferred to memorialize in a more considerate manner as a way to overcome his grief."
Additionally, the media reported that "Ronaldo immediately expressed his condolences publicly. He stated that even if the tragedy is forgotten, he would pay careful attention to the bereaved families in appropriate ways and provide all necessary support" and added, "In this case as well, Ronaldo's shock was greater because he lost Jota, who was a friend and national teammate just a few weeks ago when they won the Nations League together. He shared the family's despair on social media."
[Photo] TNT Sports, Spor, Portugal national team, ESPN FC, Ronaldo's social media.
[OSEN]