Leleco News

Why Cristiano Ronaldo didn't attend Diogo Jota's funeral after tragic car crash

Friday marks the one-year anniversary of Diogo Jota's tragic death, with his funeral having been attended by numerous team-mates. However, Cristiano Ronaldo made the choice not to be present at the ceremony for a moving reason. On July 3, 2025, Liverpool hero Jota and his brother Andre Silva lost their lives in a car accident in north-western Spain . The tragedy struck just 11 days after Jota's wedding to his long-term partner Rute Cardoso . The footballing world was plunged into grief . A public wake in honour of Jota and his brother took place the day following the incident, with a funeral mass held at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar on July 5. Hundreds gathered outside the church to pay their final respects to the brothers, among them dozens of Liverpool players and staff, along with Portugal internationals. Yet Ronaldo was absent, for a reason that reveals much about the profound respect he held for his international colleague . When asked during an interview with Piers Morgan why he had not attended the funeral, Ronaldo said: "Two things; people criticise me a lot. I don't care about that. "When your conscience is good and free, you don't have to worry about what people say. But one of the things I don't do? After my father died, I have never been to a cemetery again." He added: "When you know me and you know my reputation? Wherever I go, it is a circus. I don't go out because, if I go, the attention goes to me. "I don't want this sort of attention. I don't like it when you go to a sensitive moment to do interviews, to speak about him, to speak about football. "This shows how a circus is life, sometimes. I am not a part of that. If you want to be a part of this world, good luck, but I will be a part of another side. People can continue to criticise. I felt good with my decision." Ronaldo was simply unwilling to divert attention from the tragedy that had unfolded. The 41-year-old and his Portugal team-mates are honouring Jota's memory at the World Cup. Since Jota's passing, an outpouring of touching tributes have been paid to the late 28-year-old . Liverpool officially retired his No. 20 shirt and paid out his remaining salary in full. Throughout this summer's tournament in North America, the Portuguese squad has been wearing commemorative green-and-red wristbands. The country's prime minister presented these to each player, featuring the names of every squad member alongside Jota's, symbolising his presence at the tournament in spirit . He has additionally been named as an honorary member of the World Cup squad. Portugal finished as runners-up in Group K after drawing against DR Congo and Colombia, while defeating Uzbekistan 5-0. They now face Croatia in the round of 32. FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page

2026-07-02

‘Forever 20’: Liverpool release images of memorial to Diogo Jota and André Silva

Liverpool have released images of a permanent memorial that is to be unveiled at Anfield in tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva. Titled “Forever 20”, the memorial features a flowing heart sculpture inspired by Jota’s goal celebration. The numbers 20 and 30, Jota’s and Silva’s shirt numbers respectively, can also be seen from different angles. It will include the lyrics of the song Liverpool fans continue to sing in honour of Jota and is regarded as a celebration of the bond between the brothers, who died in a car accident last July. Liverpool will announce when the memorial is to be officially unveiled at a later date, but it will be positioned on 97 Avenue, where thousands of tributes were left to the brothers last year. Many of those tributes, including flowers, scarves, cards and banners, will be recycled and incorporated into the stone plinth on which the memorial will sit.

2026-05-11