Ronaldo did not attend Jota and his brother Andre Silva's funeral at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar Catholic Church on the morning of 5/7, nor the wake at the Sao Cosme Chapel the day before.

Ronaldo with Diogo Jota during Portugal's Euro 2024 Group F match against the Czech Republic at the Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany on 18/6/2024. Photo: AFP

According to the British newspaper Mirror, the Portugal captain was concerned that his presence in the small town of Gondomar would overshadow the farewell ceremony for Jota and his brother. The 40-year-old forward reportedly considered the situation and decided not to attend the wake or the funeral to avoid becoming the center of attention, causing distractions, and diminishing the significance of the ceremonies.

The Portuguese newspaper Record added that Ronaldo spoke with Jota's family to assure them of his continued support. He also explained his absence from the funeral was to avoid causing a media frenzy.

Spanish media reported that Ronaldo was vacationing on his $7.5 million yacht in Majorca. He paid tribute to his younger teammate through a social media post.

"This is absurd. Just recently, we were together on the national team. Just recently, you got married," Ronaldo wrote. "My condolences to Jota's family, wife, and children, and I wish them strength. I know you will always be by their side. Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre. We will miss you both."

Liverpool players brought two wreaths with the numbers 20 and 30, Jota's and Andre Silva's jersey numbers at Liverpool and Penafiel, respectively.

Jota and his brother Andre da Silva were involved in an accident on a curve on the A-52 highway, Cernadilla, in the province of Zamora, western Spain, on 3/7. Their car suffered a tire blowout, causing them to lose control, roll over multiple times, and catch fire. Rescue and medical personnel were immediately dispatched, but both Jota brothers died at the scene.

Yesterday, several Liverpool players, including Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, Darwin Nunez, Federico Chiesa, and manager Arne Slot, along with members of the Portuguese national team, including Bernardo Silva, Diogo Dalot, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Neves, and manager Roberto Martinez, were present at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar church to bid farewell to Jota. Former Liverpool players Caoimhin Kelleher, Jordan Henderson, and James Milner were also in attendance.

Alisson Becker posts a farewell photo to Diogo Jota.

Alisson was another prominent figure absent from Jota's funeral. In an Instagram post, Alisson, Jota's teammate at Liverpool since 2020, shared that the ocean prevented him from "saying goodbye" to someone he loved.

"Usually, I post things that have meaning, but today, everything seems meaningless! Once again, the ocean separates me from 'saying goodbye' to someone I loved! But I know that my teammates at the club have done it for me!", the Brazilian goalkeeper wrote, posting a black and white photo of himself with Natalia, Jota with Rute, and their children.

Alisson described Jota—who died less than two weeks after he and Rute married—as a "wonderful friend, father, and husband." The 32-year-old goalkeeper concluded his post by quoting Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, which speaks of a time for every purpose under heaven, including "a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance."

Compiled by Hong Duy