Diogo Jota: Why Cristiano Ronaldo Missed Funeral of Deceased Portugal Teammate
Cristiano Ronaldo was a conspicuous absentee from the joint funeral of Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva, on July 5.
Source: Getty Images
The football world came together to say goodbye to the two brothers who perished in a fatal road accident on Thursday.
The two were travelling from Porto to Santander, where they were to take a ferry to England. The car they were travelling in crashed before bursting into flames.
The bodies of the two brothers were repatriated to Portugal for the wake and subsequent funeral service. The service took place barely 48 hours after the accident, in line with Portugal's traditions.
Liverpool players, led by captain Virgil Van Dijk alongside their manager Arne Slot, were among those who made the dreaded trip to pay their last respects.
Jota's Portugal teammates, such as Bruno Fernandes and Ruben Dias, were also present at the sombre occasion.
His best friend, Ruben Neves, flew overnight from the United States to arrive just in time for the service. Neves was in action for his Al Hilal side in the FIFA Club World Cup, where Fluminense beat them in the quarter-finals.
Source: Getty Images
However, one major noticeable absentee was Ronaldo, who failed to attend the funeral at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar church - the same place Jota had tied the knot with his wife Rute Cardoso two weeks before his death.
Ronaldo is the captain of the Portuguese national team and the most successful player the country has ever produced, and many expected him to lead the nation in sending off his teammate.
"He is the captain of the Portugal squad. Many expected he would attend. Diogo Jota was part of the team. Maybe there are some reasons we don't know," said Portuguese journalist Antonio Ribeiro Cristovao.
It has since emerged that Ronaldo called Cardoso and promised her he would always be there for her and the three children.
According to Portuguese outlet Record, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner also explained he will skip the ceremony as he feared his high-profile status would cause a 'media circus' in the small town of Gondomar.
The Al Nassr striker didn't want his presence to take away the attention from the farewell of the two brothers.
The former Manchester United striker has earlier issued a moving tribute to Jota on social media.
The two had just shared the dressing room in the Portuguese camp where they beat Spain to win the UEFA Nations League.
Ronaldo stated that the death 'didn't make sense' and they will miss him forever.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
