Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken for the first time about why he did not attend the funeral of Portugal teammate Diogo Jota,
The former Liverpool star tragically died in a car crash alongside his brother, André Silva, in July.
The 28-year-old forward’s death sent shockwaves through the football world, and Ronaldo’s absence from the funeral drew criticism in Portugal and beyond.
Speaking to Piers Morgan Uncensored, Ronaldo explained there were two key reasons behind his decision.
“Two things, people criticize me a lot. As I say, I don’t care about that, because when you feel your conscience is good, free, you don’t have to be worried about what the people say,” he said.
He added, “But one of the things that I don’t do, it’s after my father died, I’ve never been in a cemetery again. And second… you know my reputation, wherever I go is a circus. I don’t go also because if I go, the attention goes for me and I don’t want this kind of attention.”
Ronaldo was clear he has no regrets. “People can continue to criticize me… I felt good with my decision. I don’t need to be in the first line for people to see me… I’m planning the things, I’m thinking about his family, I don’t need to be in the cameras for the people to see what I do. I do [it] behind the scenes, my friend.”
Reflecting on the moment he received the news, Ronaldo admitted the shock and grief were overwhelming.
“I didn’t believe when they sent me messages. I cry a lot… It was very, very difficult moment for everybody – for the country, for families, for friends, for teammates, devastating. Very, very, very sad news… It was a shock moment. We still feel the aura there in the national team, when you put on the shirt, because Diogo was one of us.”
Ronaldo also spoke warmly of Jota, describing him as a quiet and level-headed personality.
“He was a very good guy, a quiet guy, and, a good player, as you know, but very, how you say, not a guy that speaks too much… I really liked to meet [with] him, to share with him some great moments. It was sad,” he said.
He added that he had spoken with Jota’s family following the tragedy to offer his support.
“I had the opportunity to speak with their family and to give support, because… everything is gone because of one moment.”
Jota and his brother André were killed when the Reds striker’s Lamborghini crashed on the A52 highway in Zamora province, northern Spain.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson led a near-complete squad carrying wreaths in tribute to Diogo’s number 20 and André’s number 30. Former teammates James Milner and Jordan Henderson were also present.
Flags were lowered to half-mast at Anfield, while fans left floral tributes and paid respects outside the stadium.
Ronaldo, however, was absent from the service, a decision that was widely reported after photographs of him on holiday in Mallorca surfaced.
Despite the criticism, Ronaldo has remained steadfast in his explanation, emphasising that his actions were guided by conscience and a desire to support the grieving family away from public scrutiny.
“He was one of us. And the respect and love for him, I always have. I don’t need the cameras. I do it with my heart,
