The absence of Portugal’s most iconic footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, from Diogo Jota’s funeral on Saturday did not go unnoticed.
Diogo Jota’s funeral was held in his hometown of Gondomar, near Porto earlier today, following the devastating car accident that claimed his life and that of his brother, André Silva, on Thursday, July 3.
The tragedy sent shockwaves through Portugal and the footballing world, leaving teammates, fans, and loved ones shattered.
During the funeral service, the chapel was filled with grief and remembrance. Liverpool stars like Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson were present, each laying red floral tributes at the altar.
Teammates from the Portuguese national team, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and João Neves were spotted at the funeral standing in silent solidarity.
Neves, visibly emotional, was one of the pallbearers, having flown in from the United States where he had been competing in the Club World Cup with Al-Hilal.
Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot, was joined by Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, Darwin Núñez, and even Federico Chiesa.
Former Liverpool names like Caoimhin Kelleher, Jordan Henderson, and James Milner were also there. But Ronaldo, the captain of the national team, was not among them.
According to reports from Mirror Football, Ronaldo made the decision to stay away out of concern that his presence might overshadow the solemnity of the day.
Gondomar, a small and tight-knit community, was hosting a moment of mourning for two of its sons. Ronaldo, aware of the media storm that tends to follow him, feared becoming a distraction from the true focus: remembering Diogo and André.
The Al-Nassr forward has recently chosen a more reclusive path, spending time away from public glare with his family.
Naija News reports that Cristiano Ronaldo has shared his tribute to Diogo Jota via his Instagram page on Thursday. He wrote: “It doesn’t make sense. We were just together in the national team, and you had just gotten married.
“To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.”
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