Why I didn’t attend Diogo Jota’s funeral — Ronaldo

Abdullateef Fowewe

Football star, Cristiano Ronaldo has addressed public criticism over why he did not attend the funeral of his Liverpool and Portugal teammate Diogo Jota, who tragically died in a car accident on July 3, 2025.

“People criticize me a lot. I don’t care, I feel good with myself and I felt good with my decision,” Ronaldo said, explaining his choice in a recent interview.

He revealed a personal reason, saying, “First of all: since my dad passed away, I never went to cemetery anymore. Second: wherever I go, the attention goes on me. It’s big circus many times. I do not want to part of that. If you want that, good luck.”

Diogo Jota, 28, died alongside his 26-year-old brother Andre in a fiery crash near Zamora, Spain.

Their Lamborghini suffered a tyre blowout on the A-52 motorway and caught fire.

Jota had just married longtime partner Rute Cardoso five days earlier and was a father of three.

Jota joined Liverpool in 2020 from Wolverhampton Wanderers and scored 65 goals in 182 appearances.

He was instrumental in Liverpool’s Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup victories, leaving a lasting legacy on the club and fans worldwide.