Diogo Jota’s sudden death shocked the global football community, but there are those who did not join him on his final journey. Luis Díaz (28, Liverpool) from the Colombian national team and Cristiano Ronaldo (40, Al Nassr), the captain of the Portuguese national team, are among them. Although their reasons differed, the ‘absence’ of these two symbolic figures has sparked considerable controversy among fans.
Jota passed away in a traffic accident on the highway near Zamora, Spain, on 3rd (Korean time). The incident was even more tragic as he had just begun his new life with his three children after marriage. Liverpool designated his jersey number ’20′ as retired in honor, and his colleagues from the Portuguese national team gathered at the funeral home in his hometown, Gondomar, to escort Jota.
Liverpool teammate Luis Díaz did not appear at the funeral. Instead, he made an appearance at a local YouTube event in Barranquilla, Colombia, on the same day, where he was seen dancing and smiling on stage, which drew heavy criticism from fans. They expressed disappointment, wondering, “Was the event and marketing prioritized over a colleague’s final journey?” and remarked on his “disloyal choice.”
A greater shock stemmed from the past relationship between Díaz and Jota. Jota had shown exceptional consideration by offering his home to Díaz when he joined Porto, and when Díaz’s father was kidnapped, he raised his jersey number ‘7’ to wish for his safe return. Díaz’s absence at Jota’s funeral was a point that many found difficult to overlook.
Similar controversies arose at the national team level. Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of the Portuguese national team, also did not attend Jota’s funeral. While many teammates, including Rúben Dias and Bernardo Silva, were present, captain Ronaldo ultimately did not show up.
Local analyst Ribeiro Cristóvão noted, “Jota was a respected player within the national team. It’s regrettable that Ronaldo, as captain, was not there.” He added, “Ronaldo has left a bad impression this time around.”
As the controversy grew, Ronaldo’s sister, Katia Aveiro, stepped in to clarify. Through social media, she stated, “Not being there doesn’t mean it’s rude, and being there doesn’t mean it’s respectful,” and added, “Ronaldo is quietly, yet sincerely, helping Jota’s family.”
She also emphasized that there is “invisible grieving,” referring to the excessive reactions from the media and the public during their father’s funeral.
Each person’s absence may have had its own circumstances. Díaz’s side cited ‘a contract for an event that incurs penalties for absence’ as the reason, while Ronaldo’s side chose silent mourning without officially commenting. However, the fans' perspective differs. Expectations regarding the bond they shared with Jota at Liverpool and the Portuguese national team, as well as the responsibilities as colleagues, cannot simply be dismissed as ‘personal circumstances.’
Transfer rumors also fueled the controversy. Local reports surfaced that Díaz was positive about a transfer to Barcelona shortly after Jota’s funeral, while Ronaldo has continued with his official schedule, drawing public backlash after missing the funeral.
“Not all absences are rude, and not all presences are respectful.” While there are various ways to grieve, the choices made by those left in the wake of a colleague’s final moments are unlikely to be easily forgotten.
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