After leading Portugal to the Round of 16 with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Croatia in a gripping FIFA World Cup 2026 encounter, an emotional Cristiano Ronaldo was seen in tears, wearing Diogo Jota’s No. 21 jersey as a tribute to his former teammate.
Jota lost his life in a road accident in Spain last year at the age of 28, shortly after playing a key role in Portugal’s second UEFA Nations League triumph and helping the team secure their place at the World Cup.
Portugal edged past Croatia in Toronto on Friday in a match that swung both ways. After falling behind 1-0, goals from Ronaldo and Gonçalo Ramos powered the team to the next round, where they will face Spain in another heavyweight clash.
An emotional Ronaldo pointed to the sky while wearing Jota’s jersey after the final whistle, as emotions ran high.
“We knew it before the game, it was a so special moment. We speak today, our group, about the coincidence of life, it’s unbelievable. I was amazed because the situation of today it means a lot to us, not only because we won the game but also the way,” Ronaldo told Fox.
July 4, 2026, will mark exactly one year since Jota and his brother André Silva died in a car accident in western Spain. Jota and his brother Silva, who played for Penafiel in the Portuguese second division, were believed to have been driving to a ferry in Spain to travel to Britain when their Lamborghini veered off the road and burst into flames after midnight. They were buried in their hometown of Gondomar in northern Portugal.
“We know he is present with us and it only made sense to win today to honor him in the best way,” added Ronaldo to Portugal’s Sport TV.