Video: Ronaldo wears Jota’s No.21 on anniversary, pledges to decide Portugal future after World Cup
Abdullateef Fowewe
Cristiano Ronaldo wore Diogo Jota’s No.21 shirt and appeared visibly emotional on the first anniversary of the young forward’s death as Portugal prepared to continue its World Cup campaign.
Images from the team showing the veteran striker from behind in Jota’s shirt and a close close-up capturing a reflective Ronaldo.
The gesture recalled the July 3, 2025, crash in Spain that killed 28-year-old Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva when their Lamborghini suffered a tyre blowout, left the road, and caught fire.
Jota, a key figure for Liverpool and a rising star for Portugal, prompted an outpouring of grief across football; Ronaldo has led several public tributes since the tragedy, underscoring the personal bond between the two forwards.
“I don’t make reckless decisions,” Ronaldo told reporters when asked about his international future, countering immediate retirement rumours that followed widespread speculation, including comments from his sister suggesting he might step away after the tournament.
“I will decide after the tournament, not now,” said Ronaldo.
Ronaldo, 41 during this World Cup, again placed the timing of any decision after Portugal’s run in the competition, offering reassurance that he will not rush into a retirement call while the team is still competing.
A nighttime video from the Portugal team hotel in Toronto showed Ronaldo waving and interacting with thousands of fans from a balcony as supporters chanted and filmed the scene.
The shaky footage highlighted the sustained global magnetism of one of football’s most recognisable figures and the deep public interest in Portugal’s campaign.
After Portugal’s dramatic 2-1 win over Croatia in the Round of 32 — a match that became the most-watched World Cup fixture so far, with more than 20 million concurrent YouTube viewers in less five hours, Ronaldo praised former Real Madrid teammate Luka Modrić.
“I played many years with Modrić, it’s great to see him still playing at top level,” Ronaldo said.
“I told him: congrats Luka, good luck for the future of your career.”
The match itself provided late drama: Croatia took the lead through Ivan Perišić; Ronaldo levelled from the penalty spot — his first World Cup knockout-stage goal and a performance that earned him man-of-the-match recognition and Gonçalo Ramos headed a 94th-minute winner.
A stoppage-time equaliser by Josko Gvardiol was ruled out for offside after VAR review.
Portugal now advance to face Spain in the last 16.
Speaking about the dramatic match, Ronaldo said, “In the afternoon, I had a feeling the match would be decided by a penalty.
“We had been prepared for that since earlier in the day because I felt it was going to happen.
“My heart was racing, but I tried to trust what I was feeling, rely on my instincts, and believe that I was going to score. That’s what I’ve always believed”.
