Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly assured the family of late Liverpool forward Diogo Jota that he will always support them after he was absent from his international team-mate’s funeral on Saturday.
The Portugal captain spoke with Jota’s wife Rute Cardoso and his parents following the player’s tragic death.
Portuguese outlet Record reports that Ronaldo explained his decision to miss the joint funeral of Jota and his brother Andre Silva, stating he wanted to avoid creating a media circus at the service.
The 40-year-old’s absence from both Friday’s wake and Saturday morning’s funeral mass in Gondomar, near Porto, has sparked significant reaction back home.
Despite being expected to join Jota’s club and international team-mates in paying his respects, Ronaldo did not attend either ceremony.
The Igreja Matriz de Gondomar was packed with footballers paying their final respects on Saturday morning. Liverpool team-mates joined Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva and Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot, both Portuguese internationals, at the service.
Compatriots Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves, who were seen in tears on Friday night before their Club World Cup match in Orlando, also attended the church service.
National team boss Roberto Martinez made the journey from the United States, where he had been serving as a member of the FIFA Club World Cup Technical Study Group.
The presence of so many high-profile figures from Portuguese football made Ronaldo’s absence even more conspicuous.
Whilst Ronaldo told the family he would stay away to prevent media attention overshadowing the funeral, a leading Majorcan newspaper reported he was holidaying on the island.
The former Real Madrid star was reportedly spotted at two upmarket destinations aboard his £5.5million Azimut Grande yacht.
The 88-foot vessel, which features five luxury cabins and six bathrooms, was seen at various locations around Majorca.
Ronaldo and Jota enjoyed great success with Portugal, with the duo winning two Nations League titles together.
Their most recent triumph came last month when Spain were overcome in the final.
Jota also won the Premier League title with Liverpool earlier this year, in addition to two League Cups and one FA Cup during his time on Merseyside.
The club will pay the remainder of his contract to his family.
Another player absent from the funeral was Jota’s Liverpool team-mate Alisson Becker, who posted a touching tribute on social media.
“Usually, I post things that make sense, but today, nothing makes sense!” wrote the goalkeeper.
“Once again, an ocean separates me from “saying goodbye” to someone I love! But I know that I am well represented by my club mates!
“To you, my friend @rutecfcardoso14 just know that you will never walk alone, we will be with you as soon as possible!”In a moment like this, all we can do is bow down before the Sovereignty of God, and receive grace and help in this time! I’ll remember Diogo as a great friend, father and husband!
