Cristiano Ronaldo has addressed the criticism surrounding his absence from late Portugal teammate Diogo Jota’s funeral, revealing the deeply personal reason behind his decision. The football icon was questioned by fans after he chose not to attend the emotional ceremony where several Portugal players, including Ruben Neves, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes, were present to pay their respects.
Jota tragically passed away after a car accident on the A-52 highway in Spain, which also claimed the life of his brother. Their vehicle reportedly suffered a tyre blowout, leading to a devastating crash. The entire football community mourned the loss, expressing shock and grief.
Speaking to Piers Morgan during a podcast discussion, Ronaldo revealed that he was with his partner Georgina Rodriguez and was left heartbroken when he heard the news. He expressed how difficult it was for him to process the tragedy and mentioned that he had cried when he learned about his teammate’s passing.
Ronaldo stated he did reach out to the family privately to offer his condolences and support. He explained that he didn’t want media attention to overshadow the solemn moment. The Portugal captain emphasized that since the death of his father, he has avoided cemeteries due to personal trauma, and attending such ceremonies is very emotionally challenging for him.
Addressing the public criticism, he mentioned that he stays true to his conscience and does not let outside opinions influence his personal choices. He reassured that his decision was made out of respect for Jota’s family, as he did not want the focus to shift onto him during such a tragic time.