Ronaldo Addresses Absence from Jota’s Funeral
Cristiano Ronaldo recently explained why he chose not to attend the funeral of Diogo Jota, emphasizing his desire to prevent the event from becoming “a circus.” Jota, a forward for Liverpool and the Portuguese national team, along with his brother André Silva, tragically lost their lives in a car accident last July.
While several teammates from both club and country were present at the funeral in Portugal, Ronaldo’s absence drew considerable attention. In an interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo shared his reasons for not attending, stating, “When your conscience is good and free, you don’t have to worry about what people say.”
“After my father passed away, I have not visited a cemetery since,” he added. “I don’t want to draw attention to myself during such sensitive moments.” Ronaldo expressed that he feels his presence often shifts focus away from the occasion to himself, which he aims to avoid.
He further elaborated, “I dislike it when discussions shift to football or personal reflections during poignant moments. It reflects how life can sometimes feel like a circus, and I prefer to distance myself from that.” Despite potential backlash, Ronaldo stated that he felt comfortable with his decision not to attend.
During the funeral, Virgil van Dijk, Arne Slot, and Andy Robertson represented the Liverpool squad. Former teammates Jordan Henderson and James Milner were also in attendance, along with fellow Portugal players, including Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, who came to pay their respects.
Throughout his international career, Jota made 49 appearances and was part of two Nations League-winning squads. He also secured the Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup titles while playing for Liverpool.
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