Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo fought back tears as he led an emotional tribute to former teammate Diogo Jota following his side’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 on Thursday.
The win, secured by Goncalo Ramos’ stoppage-time winner, came on the eve of the first anniversary of Jota’s tragic death in a car accident in Spain alongside his brother, Andre Silva. The Liverpool forward represented Portugal 49 times and scored 14 international goals before his untimely passing.
After the final whistle in Toronto, Ronaldo draped himself in Jota’s iconic Portugal No. 21 jersey before gathering with his teammates.
Visibly emotional, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner looked skyward and pointed towards the heavens
in a heartfelt gesture that summed up the night’s emotions.
A class act from Cristiano Ronaldo ❤️
Leaves the pitch in tears, remembering Diogo Jota carrying his presence with him in the most powerful way.
A remembrance, respect, and heartbreak all at once 🥺
Moments like this strip football down to what it really is … Not just… pic.twitter.com/AqODAKEvMV
— Yazz LFC (@YazzLFC) July 3, 2026
EMOCIONANTE
Cristiano Ronaldo com a camisa 21 em homenagem a Diogo Jota
Amanhã fará exatamente 1 ano que Jota morreu
Cristiano visivelmente abalado pic.twitter.com/G5TBYc7rLk
— ABSOLUTE CR7 (@AbsoluteGOATBR) July 3, 2026
“We knew it before the game, it was a so special moment,” Ronaldo told Fox after the match.
“We speak today, our group, about the coincidence of life, it’s unbelievable. I was amazed because the situation of today means a lot to us, not only because we won the game but also the way.”
Speaking to Sport TV, Ronaldo added: “We know he is present with us and it only made sense to win today to honor him in the best way.”
For Portugal’s players, however, the night was always about more than football.
“Every day it’s special because we talk about him every day,” Ramos said. “He gives us strength and it’s very special to have won today and to have reached one of the most important phases of this competition.”
Rafael Leao echoed those sentiments, saying Jota’s memory had inspired the squad throughout the evening.
“We always believed from the very beginning,” Leao said. “And there was an additional, crucial factor: Diogo Jota, who is always with us and helped us as well.”
Portugal will now carry that emotion into a blockbuster Round of 16 clash against Spain.
