Cristiano Ronaldo Explains Why He Skipped Diogo Jota's Funeral

Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken out about his decision not to attend the funeral of his Portugal teammate Diogo Jota, who tragically died in a car crash earlier this year. In an emotional interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo shared the reasons behind this choice, addressing the grief, memories of his late father, and the pressures of fame that influenced him.

Tragic Loss of Diogo Jota

Diogo Jota, 28, and his brother André Silva, 26, died in a severe accident in north-western Spain on 3 July 2025. The unexpected loss shook the football community and plunged Portugal into deep mourning. Tributes poured in from all over the football world in honor of the Liverpool forward.

Funeral Attendance and Public Reaction

The funeral was held in Jota’s hometown of Gondomar, attended by family members, teammates, and national officials. However, one key figure was notably absent: Cristiano Ronaldo. As Portugal grieved, many fans expressed outrage and confusion over Ronaldo’s absence, questioning how the nation's most famous player could miss the farewell of a man he once played alongside.

Ronaldo’s Perspective

“I was in the gym with Gio when they sent me the message,” Ronaldo recalled quietly. “It was very, very difficult for the country, for the family, for the teammates. A disaster.”

Ronaldo explained that he deliberately avoided turning this personal tragedy into a public spectacle. He wanted to cope with his grief privately and avoid creating a media circus around the funeral.

Summary

Ronaldo’s candid reflection reveals a personal struggle to balance grief, public expectation, and his own need for peace during a difficult time.

Author’s summary: Ronaldo chose privacy over public mourning, driven by personal grief and the desire to avoid media spectacle amid the tragedy of Diogo Jota’s death.

International Business Times UK — 2025-11-08