Ronaldo Honours Diogo Jota After Portugal's World Cup Win

Cristiano Ronaldo paid an emotional tribute to former Portugal teammate Diogo Jota after Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 in their FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match in Toronto on Friday.

The victory came exactly one year after Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, died in a car accident in western Spain, adding emotional significance to Portugal's progress in the tournament.

Ronaldo's Heartfelt Gesture

Ronaldo, who opened the scoring with a penalty, wore Jota's No. 21 Portugal jersey after the final whistle and pointed towards the sky as he remembered his late teammate.

"We knew it before the game, it was such a special moment," Ronaldo told Fox. "We spoke today, our group, about the coincidence of life. It's unbelievable. I was amazed because the situation of today means a lot to us, not only because we won the game but also the way."

Speaking to Portugal's Sport TV, Ronaldo added, "We know he is present with us and it only made sense to win today to honour him in the best way."

One Year Since The Tragedy

Jota represented Portugal 49 times and scored 14 international goals before his death on July 3 last year.

The Liverpool forward and his 25-year-old brother, Andre Silva, lost their lives in a road accident in western Spain.

According to Spanish police, their car left the road while attempting to overtake another vehicle after suffering a tyre blowout. The vehicle caught fire, and both brothers died at the scene.

Portugal's Tribute To Jota

A month after Jota's death, Portugal honoured his memory by handing his No. 21 national team jersey to his close friend and former teammate, Ruben Neves.

The gesture reflected the impact Jota had on the national team and the close bond he shared with several members of the squad.

Remembering Jota's Legacy

Jota was part of Portugal's UEFA Nations League-winning squads in 2019 and 2025, including the victory over Spain in the 2025 final.

He celebrated that triumph with his teammates only weeks before the fatal accident. His brother, Andre Silva, was also a professional footballer and played for Portuguese second-tier club Penafiel.