Cristiano Ronaldo explains absence from Diogo Jota’s funeral
Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence about his absence from Diogo Jota’s funeral in July, revealing in a new interview with Piers Morgan that he made a personal vow never to set foot in a cemetery following his father’s death two decades ago, reports BritPanorama.
The Portuguese football icon faced sharp criticism when he failed to appear at the service for his national team-mate, who perished alongside his brother Andre Silva in a devastating motorway crash in Spain. Jota and his brother died on 3 July when their Lamborghini suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking on the A-52 motorway near Zamora, leading to a fire after the vehicle left the road.
Speaking candidly to Morgan, the 40-year-old Al-Nassr striker expressed concerns that his attendance would turn the solemn occasion into a media spectacle, diverting attention from the grieving family. “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,” Ronaldo stated.
He went on to explain, “After my father died, I have never been to a cemetery again.” Ronaldo insisted that he had provided support to Jota’s loved ones away from public view, stating, “When you know me and you know my reputation? Wherever I go, it is a circus.” He further remarked, “I don’t need to be in the first line for people to see me. I’m thinking about his family; I don’t need to be in the cameras for people to see what I do.”
Despite facing backlash for his decision, Ronaldo’s sister, Katia Aveiro, defended him publicly, alluding to the media frenzy surrounding their father’s funeral years earlier. The absence of Ronaldo was particularly noted given that he had recently celebrated winning the Nations League alongside Jota.
However, Ronaldo did attend a memorial ceremony in September with the Portugal squad, Jota’s family, and Portuguese officials, further revealing his sentiments about supporting Jota’s family privately.
This episode highlights the fine balance public figures must strike between personal grief and media expectations, a reminder of the complexities surrounding celebrity and public life.
