Cristiano Ronaldo Breaks Silence On Not Attending Diogo Jota's Funeral: 'After My Father Died...'

Cristiano Ronaldo Explains Absence from Diogo Jota's Funeral

Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo did not attend the funeral of his late Portugal teammate Diogo Jota earlier this year, sparking criticism. Ronaldo responded by addressing the reasons behind his absence and the negative reactions.

Details of the Tragedy

Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, tragically died in a car accident in July, which deeply affected the football community. While many of Jota’s club and international teammates paid their respects at the funeral, Ronaldo was notably absent.

Ronaldo’s Explanation in Interview

During a wide-ranging interview with Piers Morgan, the 40-year-old striker shared his perspective. He revealed that since the death of his own father, he has not visited cemeteries, and his absence was also to avoid media spectacle.

“Two things; people criticise me a lot. I don’t care about that. When your conscience is good and free, you don’t have to worry about what people say. But one of the things I don’t do? After my father died, I have never been to a cemetery again."
“When you know me and you know my reputation? Wherever I go, it is a circus. I don’t go out because, if I go, the attention goes to me. I don’t want this sort of attention."

He expressed frustration about the media focus during sensitive moments, emphasizing that he chooses not to participate in such events to avoid distractions and unwanted scrutiny.

“I don’t like it when you go to a sensitive moment to do interviews, to speak about him, to speak about football. This shows how a circus is life, sometimes. If you want to be a part of this world, good luck, but I will be a part of another side. People can continue to criticise."

Summary

Ronaldo defended his choice by stating that his clear conscience and desire to avoid media attention guided his decision to skip the funeral, despite public criticism.

Author’s Insight

Cristiano Ronaldo prioritizes personal peace and privacy over public expectations, choosing to grieve away from the spotlight amid criticism.

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News18 News18 — 2025-11-08

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