Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from the joint funerals of Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his footballer brother Andre Silva was causing shockwaves in their homeland today.
Portugal’s most capped player and team captain was expected to fly to Gondomar near Porto to pay his last respects alongside Jota’s club and country teammates at a wake yesterday and the funeral mass this morning.
But the 40-year-old dad-of-three was a no-show at both - with a leading Majorcan newspaper saying he was holidaying on the island and had been spotted in two upmarket destinations on board his £5.5 million 88-feet long Azimut Grande yacht, which boasts five luxury cabins and six bathrooms.
Liverpool teammates, Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva and Manchester United full back Diogo Dalot, both Portuguese national team players, were among the footballers who packed into the church this morning - the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar.
Portugal internationals Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves, seen in tears on Friday night before their Club World Cup clash in Orlando, also made it to the church on time along with Portugal manager Roberto Martinez who has been in the States as a member of the FIFA Club World Cup Technical Study Group.
Portuguese journalist Antonio Ribeiro Cristovao said shortly before today’s mass began: “He is the captain of the Portugal squad. Many expected he would attend.
“Diogo Jota was part of the team. Maybe there are some reasons we don’t know.
“If he doesn’t attend, he has to explain the reason. He has that responsibility. He is the captain.” Sports journalist and commentator Luis Cristovao called his absence “inexplicable” as the funeral mass got underway without Cristiano, saying: “Being inexplicable, any justification will fall short of the shortcoming he committed with his absence.”
And TV sports commentator Pedro Fatela, added of the Al-Nassr striker’s no-show: “This absence will be much discussed. There must be justifications in the coming days.
“We will know why Cristiano wasn’t able to travel to Gondomar to be present in this moment, but he is the captain.
“All of us were expecting, as all coaches and players were there, to have the captain side by side with his teammates.”
A football fan commenting on Cristiano’s no-show on X said: “For Cristiano Ronaldo not to interrupt his holidays to appear at the funeral is something inadmissible as a friend and as Portugal’s captain.
“It was the least he should have done.”
Referencing Cristiano’s emotional Instagram post after he learned about Diogo and brother Andre Silva’s car crash deaths on the A-52 highway near Zamora close to Spain’s north-west border with Portugal in the early hours of Thursday morning, he added: “It’s not just messages on social media that count, it’s not just money that counts.”
Another Portuguese X user called Flavia, hinting Cristiano must have decided he didn’t want to be the focus of fans and well-wishers and detract from the funeral by attending, said: “People are already criticising Cristiano Ronaldo for not showing up at the wake and funeral.
“Folks, I don’t know if you realise what Cristiano Ronaldo means to Gondomar.
“I understand it would be good for our captain to attend the funeral but we can’t forget who Ronaldo is.
“I understand why he doesn’t show up.”
A follower responding to her message agreed saying: “The problem is a lot of people have no respect and would have gone to have a chance of seeing Ronaldo and not for Diogo.”
Local reports Cristiano had been spotted on his luxury yacht in Majorca first emerged yesterday evening on the eve of the funerals.
He posted an emotional tribute to the Liverpool winger and his footballer brother Andre Silva when he learned they had died in the early hours of Thursday after crashing in a 200mph £180,000 Lamborghini Huracan following a suspected tyre blowout.
The siblings were on their way to the Spanish port city of Santander so Diogo, who had been advised against air travel following lung surgery, could take a ferry to the UK and head on to Liverpool.
Reporting former Manchester United frontman Cristiano had been spotted relaxing in the Balearic Islands, respected Majorcan newspaper Ultima Hora said late yesterday: “Cristiano Ronaldo has chosen Majorca again as a destination to enjoy his summer vacation.”
It went on to report the Portuguese star had been seen in the upmarket resort of Illetes on Majorca's south-west coastline and the port of Andratx on board his £5.5 million yacht.
And it added: “Although on this occasion he hasn’t been seen outside of his yacht, it’s normal for the footballer to take advantage of his stay on the island to train, go to high-class restaurants and enjoy family life.”
Cristiano last holidayed in Majorca with his family three years ago.
An employee of the footballer’s, thought to have been one of his bodyguards, was injured during the break when the sports car he was driving came off the road and smashed into a stone wall protecting a house near Cristiano’s holiday home.
The Bugatti he crashed was one of two cars the former Manchester United frontman had ferried over to the Spanish island for his sunshine break.
Cristiano was reportedly in another vehicle in a small convoy with his loved ones when his employee came off the road after they left their rented family home for a day out.
He was said at the time to have ordered other staff to remain at the scene while they continued their journey.
The badly-damaged Bugatti was later driven away on a tow-truck under a blue tarpaulin.
The owner of the Majorcan house hit by Cristiano Ronaldo’s sports car subsequently said he had pledged to pay for the damage.
The unnamed homeowner revealed he was promised compensation after turning up at his rented mansion to try to speak to him.
In his Instagram tribute to newly-married Diogo and his brother Cristiano said: “Doesn't make any sense. Just now we were together in the national team, just now you were married.
“To your family, to your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. R.I.P. Diogo and Andre We will all miss you.”
Diogo Jota's long-time agent Jorge Mendes attended yesterday’s wake after travelling to Spain to spend time with the footballer's heartbroken loved ones including his widow Rute Cardoso, mum to their three children, while they tried to repatriate his body.
Cristiano has not explained his absence yet on his social media.
Rokanyoung
374
Ronaldo this Ronaldo that, even if he had attended, you'll still hear things like "He didn't even cry very well, it's like he was forced to the burial" like what the actual f**k????
Shmonny
126
🕊️ In Loving Memory of Diogo Jota 🕊️ Today, my heart feels heavy and broken as I try to understand the pain of losing such a bright soul. Diogo, you were more than just a young player with dreams — you were an inspiration. You carried your ambitions with humility, your talent with grace, and your love for your family with pride. It hurts so much to think of how your journey was cut short, just when it was blooming. It hurts to know that your young family must now live with a void that can never be filled. And it hurts deeply that you and your brother left together in such a tragic way. But even though you are no longer with us, your light continues to shine in the hearts of those who admired you, those who loved you, and even in the hearts of people like me — who felt your passion and your humanity from afar. You reminded us of how precious and fragile life is. Your memory will live on, not just in the goals you scored or the games you played, but in the dreams you chased and the love you gave. Rest in peace, Diogo Jota, and may you and your brother find eternal peace together. 🕊️❤️ Gone too soon, but never forgotten.
omochris
102
Thank God you didn't say Ronaldo was responsible for their death. Yeye Journalist.
Cekabcpsy
81
No one should start judging Ronaldo wrongly. No one knows exactly what was the actual reason for his absence, not even his national team coach could explain that. So it's better to keep hold to hear from the horse's mouth as the time unfold. We know Ronaldo as a kind hearted person full of emphatic and compassionate spirit. He won't just shun the funeral of his country mate just like that, especially as a captain. But people's assumption about his absence saying he doesn't want to be the global attention in the funeral instead of the late Jota and his brother André, that's why he refused to show up, it's never an excuse in any way gaskiya. It's unacceptable!
dannie17
54
For those who supported CR7 absence....may people be absent at your ceremonies, Amen
Heaabdkms
29
Stupid people, they went there to look for Ronaldo! You'll die of hypertension for the hatred of cr7... mas people.
AFercJgE2130
28
Ronaldo this Ronaldo that, even if he had attended, you'll still hear things like "He didn't even cry very well, it's like he was forced to the burial" like what the actual f**k????
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How can u say this and he is the Portuguese captain? There is no excuse why he couldn’t attend. Even if he stayed for 5 mins it would have shown respect.
tukdlstu
26
go to hell journalist the man shows his respect already go away
Cupabdkns
23
he did not attend to not draw so much attension and take away from the reason they are there.
jieaceko
22
you people like to take things personal he has his reasons not to attend let's wait for him he will explain why he did not but don't judge him like it was a must for him to attend
tebaikort
20
Ronaldo is the captain of his national team so he should be there no excuse his not a politician who has excuses
OluwakayodeAdewusi
18
All of you shouting this and that was Salah or Allison there too it doesn't mean that much yes he is Portugal captain but he has the right to do what he wants,I don't get or will it take a lot for people to understand that him not being there is giving the player respect and not trying to create any noisy atmosphere there and also was Ronaldo the one that came out and explain himself, that's why I hate this Media
rafaeljoel
15
It's time of sadness to the football world stop causing steers with CR7 his absence or presence would change nothing the fact no one is immortal to death those who were there were enough to send Jota peaceful including all of us around the world it's time of unity not division Rest in peace Jota🕊🤲
Executioner1
11
For those who supported CR7 absence....may people be absent at your ceremonies, Amen
you are a compound food
Barcafanboy2
11
Ronaldo this Ronaldo that, even if he had attended, you'll still hear things like "He didn't even cry very well, it's like he was forced to the burial" like what the actual f**k????
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But you guys were criticizing Barca when they were promoting for their new kit and saying that was disrespectful they should not post anything because of jota
Dihcdiorsu
11
he should have attend the funeral, that's the decent thing to do, taking one day off from his Holliday is nothing much, being the captain of the national team and all, this is a big negative on RONALDO
Yokklmnptu
10
Ronaldo this Ronaldo that, even if he had attended, you'll still hear things like "He didn't even cry very well, it's like he was forced to the burial" like what the actual f**k????
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true man people would say so
my-blood-is-red
9
Ronaldo this Ronaldo that, even if he had attended, you'll still hear things like "He didn't even cry very well, it's like he was forced to the burial" like what the actual f**k????
[image]
why did he not attend the funeral
Executioner1
8
For those who supported CR7 absence....may people be absent at your ceremonies, Amen
you are a compound fool