Superstar footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has been seen for the first time since missing the funeral of fellow Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in a fatal car accident alongside his younger brother, Andre Silva. The devastating crash happened last week in northern Spain, just 11 days after Jota tied the knot with his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso. The couple shares three children — sons Dinis (4), Duarte (2), and an 8-month-old baby girl, Mafalda.
On Saturday, Jota and his brother were laid to rest in Gondomar, Portugal, with several members of Portugal’s national team in attendance to honor the fallen star. However, captain Cristiano Ronaldo was notably absent, prompting mixed reactions online.
The 40-year-old was photographed a day later enjoying a yacht vacation in Mallorca with his partner, Georgina Rodriguez. According to Portuguese outlet Record, Ronaldo chose not to attend the funeral due to personal emotional reasons. Sources close to the footballer claim the tragedy reminded him of the painful loss of his father, José Diniz Aveiro, who died in 2005 — a memory that still weighs heavily on him.
Additionally, it’s believed Ronaldo opted out to avoid shifting the spotlight from the grieving families. “He didn’t want his presence to overshadow the moment,” a source said. While heartbroken by Jota’s death, Ronaldo quietly chose to grieve in private.
