Cristiano Ronaldo Addresses Absence from Diogo Jota's Funeral
Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo was notably absent from the funeral of his late Portugal teammate Diogo Jota earlier this year. His decision sparked criticism, but Ronaldo has now explained his reasons and defended his conscience.
Tragic Loss of Diogo Jota
Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva tragically died in a car accident in July 2025, leaving the football community in deep mourning. Several of Jota's club and international teammates attended the funeral, but Ronaldo was not among them.
Ronaldo’s Explanation in Interview
In a detailed interview with Piers Morgan, the 40-year-old Ronaldo revealed he has not visited a cemetery since the death of his own father. He chose to skip Jota’s funeral to avoid the overwhelming public attention that follows him.
“Two things; people criticise me a lot. I don’t care about that. When your conscience is good and free, you don’t have to worry about what people say. But one of the things I don’t do? After my father died, I have never been to a cemetery again. When you know me and you know my reputation? Wherever I go, it is a circus. I don’t go out because, if I go, the attention goes to me. I don’t want this sort of attention.”
He also expressed discomfort with public attention during personal moments, emphasizing his desire to avoid turning sensitive occasions into media events.
“I don’t like it when you go to a sensitive moment to do interviews, to speak about him, to speak about football. This shows how a circus is life, sometimes. If you want to be a part of this world, good luck, but I will be a part of another side. People can continue to criticise.”
Summary
Cristiano Ronaldo explained his absence at Jota’s funeral as a personal choice to protect private grief from public spectacle, emphasizing his clear conscience and aversion to media attention during sensitive times.