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

Cristiano Ronaldo Addresses Absence at Diogo Jota's Funeral

Football star Cristiano Ronaldo was noticeably absent from the funeral of his late Portugal teammate Diogo Jota earlier this year. Jota and his brother Andre Silva tragically died in a car accident in July, sparking widespread mourning across the football community.

Some of Jota's club and international teammates attended the funeral, but Ronaldo chose not to be present. In a recent interview with Piers Morgan, the 40-year-old explained his reasons for skipping the ceremony.

Ronaldo’s Explanation and Response to Critics

“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.”

Ronaldo emphasized that his absence was a personal choice to avoid turning a sensitive moment into a spectacle. He expressed discomfort with public attention during such times.

“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

Cristiano Ronaldo defended his absence at Diogo Jota's funeral by revealing his personal discomfort with cemeteries and public attention, asserting his clear conscience despite criticism.

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News18 News18 — 2025-11-08

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