Cristiano Ronaldo Explains Why He Skipped Diogo Jota's Funeral
Cristiano Ronaldo has addressed why he did not attend the funeral of his Portugal teammate Diogo Jota, who tragically died in a car accident earlier this year. In an emotional interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo shared the reasons behind his decision, emphasizing his desire to avoid turning the tragedy into a media spectacle.
Details of the Tragedy
Diogo Jota, aged 28, and his brother André Silva, 26, died in a serious car crash in north-western Spain on 3 July 2025. The football community and Portugal were deeply shaken by the loss, with tributes flowing in from all over the world.
Funeral and Public Reaction
A funeral was held in Jota's hometown, Gondomar, attended by family, teammates, and national officials. However, Ronaldo’s absence was widely noticed and provoked strong reactions online. Many fans questioned how the country’s most famous Portuguese player could miss the farewell of a close teammate.
Ronaldo’s Explanation
"I was in the gym with Gio when they sent me the message. It was very, very difficult for the country, for the family, for the teammates. A disaster."
Ronaldo revealed that the mix of grief, memories of his late father, and the pressures of public attention influenced his choice to stay away. He wanted to keep the mourning private rather than turning it into a media event.
Ronaldo’s Reflection
The Al Nassr forward expressed peace with his decision despite the divided public opinion, explaining that handling such a personal and painful event under the spotlight was overwhelming.
"I avoided turning the tragedy into a media circus and feel at peace with my choice."
Ronaldo’s candidness offered insight into the challenges of coping with loss while living under constant public scrutiny.
Author’s Summary
Cristiano Ronaldo chose privacy over public display in mourning Diogo Jota, underlining the emotional toll and media pressures that shaped his deeply personal decision.