FIFA World Cup: Ronaldo wore number 21, paid emotional tribute to Diogo Jota after the spectacular victory over Croatia

Ronaldo Honors Diogo Jota After Dramatic Win: Portugal star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and his team paid an emotional tribute to his late teammate Diogo Jota after their 2-1 win over Croatia in Toronto on Friday. This day was also the first anniversary of the death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a road accident in Spain. In the round of 32 match, Ronaldo scored the first goal for Portugal through a penalty.

After the end of the match, captain Cristiano Ronaldo and his entire team paid tribute to Diogo Jota, in which Ronaldo pointed towards the sky wearing the number-21 jersey. During this time, moisture was also visible in his eyes. This entire scene was very emotional for the players and their fans. A month after Jota’s death, the Portugal football team handed over his number-21 national team jersey to his close friend and former teammate Ruben Neves in his memory.

We knew even before the match – Ronaldo

Ronaldo ‘Fax’ during the FIFA World Cup While talking to said- “We realized even before the match how special a day today is. Today we talked with the team about this coincidence of life and it is unimaginable. This victory was not only for us to win the match, but also to honor Diogo Jota.”

While giving his statement, Ronaldo also said that we know that he is with us even today and this moment is very special for him. He also said that the best thing is that we got the opportunity to play this match today and hence the best way to pay tribute to him was to win this match.

Also read – High voltage drama of injury time, Portugal reached last 16 after defeating Croatia, Ronaldo did wonders

Diogo Jota: A memorable player –

Diogo Jota played 49 international matches for Portugal and scored 14 goals. He and his 25-year-old brother Andre Silva were killed in a horrific road accident in the western part of Spain on July 3 last year.

Diogo Jota was part of the Portugal team that won the UEFA Nations League title in 2019 and 2025. Portugal won the trophy by defeating Spain in the 2025 final. Just a few weeks before his death, Jota had celebrated this victory with his teammates. His brother André Silva was also a professional footballer and played for Portuguese second division club Penafiel.

At the time of the accident, Diogo Jota’s car was trying to overtake another vehicle. Meanwhile, the tire of the car burst, due to which the vehicle went off the road and caught fire. In this accident, Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva died on the spot.