Why Cristiano Ronaldo refused to attend Diogo Jota's funeral: Shocking reason revealed
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "Why Cristiano Ronaldo refused to attend Diogo Jota's funeral: Shocking reason revealed")
Why Cristiano Ronaldo refused to attend Diogo Jota's funeral: Shocking reason revealed
One particular name absent from the list of attendees at Diogo Jota's funeral was Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who opted to skip the last rites of his international teammate.
It was a day of mourning for the football fraternity on Saturday (July 5) as Portugal and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva were paid their last rites having passed away in a tragic car accident in Spain last Thursday. Jota’s national and club teammates were seen attending the funeral held on the outskirts of Porto on Saturday including the likes of Ruben Neves, Virgil van Dijk and others. However, one particular name absent from the list of attendees was Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who opted to skip the funeral of his international teammate.
Why did Ronaldo skip Diogo Jota’s funeral?
As reported by Bein Sports and other Portuguese media outlets, Ronaldo’s sister lifted the lid on his shocking decision to skip the funeral to avoid public attention. According to her Ronaldo’s presence would have drawn huge public attention, thereby diluting the mourning of his international teammate and making it a public spectacle.
Katia Aveiro, Ronaldo’s sister, addressed the decision publicly. She referenced the passing of their own father in 2005, stating that Ronaldo’s presence at that time drew so much attention that the family was unable to grieve in peace.
The Al-Nassr striker reportedly communicated directly with Jota’s wife, Rute, and his parents to explain his absence and offer his condolences.
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Both parties agreed that his public presence could turn a moment of mourning into a spectacle, and therefore decided it was best for him to stay away.
Ronaldo, Jota’s Portugal connection
Jota and Ronaldo shared the dressing room with Portugal having played together for more than six years. Together they won the 2019 and 2025 UEFA Nations League while representing the national team on 49 occasions. During those appearances he also scored 14 goals, making him fans' favourite. He was considered a key member of the Portugal side which is bidding to first qualify and then win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
