Cristiano Ronaldo reveals why he missed Diogo Jota’s funeral after tragic death

Former Portugal and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota tragically passed away on July 3, 2025, following a car crash in the province of Zamora, Spain, while returning to Liverpool for preseason training.

Jota’s sudden death shocked the football world and sparked an outpouring of grief from teammates, coaches, clubs, and fans around the globe. Tributes poured in on social media, with former teammates and international stars expressing sorrow over the loss of one of Portugal’s brightest talents.

Among those who paid tribute was Cristiano Ronaldo, who shared an emotional message at the time, writing:

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“Doesn’t make any sense. Just now we were together in the national team, just now you were married. To your family, to your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. R.I.P Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.”

However, Ronaldo’s absence from Jota’s funeral drew criticism from some fans and media observers, especially after he was seen vacationing in Majorca during the same period. Several of Jota’s club and international teammates attended the funeral, including Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, and manager Arne Slot, while Jordan Henderson and James Milner also paid their respects.

In a recent interview with Piers Morgan, the 40-year-old Ronaldo addressed the backlash and explained the personal reasons behind his decision not to attend the funeral.

‘I cried a lot… Diogo was one of us.’

Cristiano Ronaldo opens up about hearing the “devastating” news of his Portugal teammate Diogo Jota’s death – and explains why he didn’t attend the funeral.

Part 2 now live👇

📺 https://t.co/1BESX9SHmt@piersmorgan | @cristiano pic.twitter.com/J2aLcV3lID

— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) November 6, 2025

“There’s two things. People criticise me a lot and I don’t care about that because when you feel your conscience is good, you don’t need to worry about what people say,” Ronaldo said.

“One of the things I don’t do after my father died is go to a cemetery. Secondly, you know me and my reputation — wherever I go, it’s a circus. I didn’t go to Jota’s funeral because the attention would be on me, and I didn’t want that.”

Ronaldo added that while he wasn’t physically present, he mourned deeply and reached out privately to Jota’s family.

“People can continue to criticise me, but I felt good with my decision. I don’t need to go just so people can see me there. I was thinking of his family, and I didn’t need cameras to see the things I do. I cried a lot. It was a very difficult moment for everyone — the country, fans, teammates, families. Diogo was one of us, a very good guy and a very good player. It shows why we have to enjoy life and every moment, because everything can change in an instant.”

Four months after his passing, Diogo Jota continues to be remembered fondly at Anfield, where fans pay tribute with a minute’s applause during the 20th minute of every home game — honoring his shirt number. Most recently, Trent Alexander-Arnold, now with Real Madrid, dedicated his return to Anfield to his late former teammate.

Jota joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers on September 19, 2020, for a reported £45 million. During his time at the club, he made 182 appearances, scoring 65 goals and helped the Reds win the 2021–22 EFL Cup and the 2024–25 Premier League title.

For Portugal, Jota earned 49 caps and scored 14 goals, playing an instrumental role in two UEFA Nations League triumphs.

His legacy — both on and off the pitch — continues to live on among teammates, fans, and the football community worldwide.

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