Cristiano Ronaldo and Diogo Jota were teammates for Portugal
Multiple Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo has explained that the media frenzy surrounding his public appearances contributed to his decision not to attend the funeral of his late teammate, Diogo Jota.
Jota and his brother, André, who tragically died in a car crash, were laid to rest with teammates, family, and friends present to pay their final respects.
Ronaldo faced intense backlash for his absence, with many fans viewing it as a sign of disrespect for the captain of the Portuguese national team to miss such a solemn occasion.
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However, in an interview with Piers Morgan, the Al Nassr forward revealed that he has avoided funerals since burying his father years ago.
He also noted that the attention his presence draws at public events often overshadows the occasion itself, which influenced his decision to stay away.
“After my father died, I’ve never been to a cemetery again. And second, as you said, and you know me and my reputation, wherever I go, it’s a circus. I don’t go because if I do, the attention shifts to me, and I don’t want that kind of attention,” Ronaldo said.
He continued, “I didn’t like how, during such a sensitive moment, people were doing interviews, talking about him, and then switching to football. Come on, guys, what is this? You know this show? Life is like that sometimes, but I’m not part of it. If you want to be part of this world, good luck. I’ll be on the other side.”
The former Manchester United icon added that he is unfazed by criticism, saying, “People criticise me a lot, but I don’t care. When your conscience is clear, you don’t have to worry about what people say.”
Watch Ronaldo’s comment below:
Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up about hearing the news of Diogo Jota’s death and has explained why he didn’t attend the funeral 💔 📹 Piers Morgan Uncensored pic.twitter.com/v3t1CUqSC8
— Daily Mail Sport (@MailSport) November 6, 2025
SB/JE
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