Portugal’s football community is in shock as team captain Cristiano Ronaldo was noticeably absent from the emotional funeral of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, held at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar. While national and club teammates gathered to pay final respects, Ronaldo, 40, was reportedly enjoying his holiday aboard his £5.5 million yacht in Mallorca, drawing widespread criticism.
Top Portuguese journalists and fans have labelled his absence “inexplicable,” demanding accountability from the national icon. Many believe that, as team captain, Ronaldo had a duty to be present during this moment of national mourning.
Though he posted a heartfelt tribute on social media, saying “Just now we were together in the national team,” and offering prayers for Jota’s wife and children, critics argue his physical absence spoke louder than words.
Jota and his brother tragically died in a high-speed crash on July 3 while en route to catch a ferry to the UK. The emotional weight of the funeral was felt deeply, and Ronaldo’s no-show left a void many weren’t prepared for.
