- Cristiano Ronaldo has explained why he missed Diogo Jota’s funeral in Portugal earlier this year
- Jota died in a road accident together with his brother Andre Silva when the car they were riding in had an accident
- Ronaldo was not seen at the funeral, while Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk led the world of football in the sad event
Cristiano Ronaldofor the first time, has spoken openly about the death of Diogo Jota and his absence at his funeral.
Source: Getty Images
The football world was left in shock after Jota was killed along with his brother in a fatal road accident on July 3.
The two brothers perished in northern Spain on their way to board a ferry Liverpool to prepare for the preparation of the season.
The Liverpool star and his brother were buried 48 hours later, with his club and international teammates in attendance in Gondomar, Portugal.
His best friend, Ruben Neves, flew overnight from the United States, where he was playing in the FIFA Club World Cup, to arrive in time for the service.
Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk and his manager, Arne Slot, led the Reds.
Why Ronaldo missed Diogo Jota’s funeral
However, Portugal’s best player, Ronaldo, was completely absent as the world poured in for his teammate.
Speaking to Piers Morgan, the five-time winner of Ballon d’Orrevealed why he missed the funeral.
Ronaldo highlighted the personal struggle and how he felt when his father died, and would prefer to avoid cemeteries altogether.
“But one of the things I don’t do, is after my father died; I never went to the cemetery again.”
Source: Instagram
The former attacker of Manchester United he also did not want his reputation to take away from the grieving Jota family. Jota is survived by his wife and three children.
“And secondly, you know my reputation, wherever I go, it’s a circus. I don’t go because when I go, the attention is about me, and I don’t want this kind of attention. People can continue to criticize me. I felt good about my decision. I don’t need to be in the front line for people to see me. I plan things, I think of his family, I don’t need to be on camera so that people can see what I’m doing,” he added.
Ronaldo admits he cried when he received the news of Jota’s death.
“I couldn’t believe it when they sent me the message. I’m crying a lot. It was a very difficult time for everyone – for the country, for the family, for friends, for my teammates, it’s sad.”
What warning did the doctors give Diogo Jota?
In a related story, doctors gave Jota a warning before the car accident that led to his death.
Reports indicate that doctors told him not to fly because he had undergone lung surgery.
A Lamborghini Jota went off the road after a tire burst and caught fire on the side of the A52 motorway in Zamora, northern Spain.
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