Cristiano Ronaldo Faces Backlash for Missing Diogo Jota’s Funeral

Diogo Jota and Cristiano Ronaldo

Source: Africa Publicity

The captain of the Portugal national team, Cristiano Ronaldo, is being severely criticized for not attending the funeral of Diogo Jota, and his brother Andre Silva.

Jota and Andre were buried in their hometown of Gondomar in Portugal earlier on Saturday, July 5, 2025.

The two brothers – both footballers – died in a fatal car crash on Thursday, July 3, 2025, near the Spanish city of Zamora.

Jota was said to be driving to ‘catch up with a ferry’ after being advised by a doctor against flying in plane following a surgery, when the heartbreaking accident occurred.

Their funeral service on Saturday lasted for about an hour with those in attendance from the world of football including Liverpool captain, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, both teammates of Jota. Also in attendance was Arne Slot, Jota’s coach at Liverpool. Van Dijk and Robertson were seen carrying floral tributes into the church ahead of the ceremony. Darwin Nunez and Chiesa were as well in attendance.

Other footballers in attendance at the funeral included Jota’s teammates from Portugal’s national team namely Bernardo Silva, Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandez, and Ruben Neves.

Cristiano Ronaldo was however not in attendance. Reports say he was on vacation in Majorca, Spain as the funeral was being held for Jota and his brother.

Ronaldo and Jota were teammates with the Portuguese national team and recently won the Uefa Nations League together.

A report by Mirror says Ronaldo decided to abstain from the funeral for fear that his presence would disrupt the ceremony, and that all eyes would be on him rather than on what matters.

But Daily Mail quoted football journalist, Antonio Ribeiro Cristovao as saying: “Ronaldo is the captain, many expected him to be there. Diogo Jota was part of the team, there may be reasons we don’t know. If he doesn’t come, he’ll have to justify his absence, it’s his responsibility. He’s the captain.”

Ribeiro Cristovao describes Ronaldo’s absence as “inexplicable” and “a fault.”

Jota died in the crash just 10 days after marrying his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso. They have three children.