Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal’s national team captain and most capped player, was noticeably absent at the funeral of his teammate Diogo Jota and Jota’s brother, André Silva, held in Gondomar, Portugal.
Jota and his brother tragically lost their lives in a high-speed car crash involving a £180,000 Lamborghini Huracan.
The accident occurred as they were heading to Santander, Spain, where Jota planned to take a ferry to the UK due to medical advice against flying following lung surgery.
While many expected Ronaldo to attend the wake and funeral mass alongside other national team players and officials, the 40-year-old football star was a no-show.
Reports from Spanish media suggest the Al-Nassr striker is currently vacationing in Mallorca aboard his luxurious £5.5 million yacht, the Azimut Grande.
The funeral, which took place at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, was attended by several prominent footballers, including Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), and Liverpool teammates.
Cristiano’s absence drew criticism from various Portuguese journalists and sports commentators. Veteran journalist Antonio Ribeiro Cristovao said, “He is the captain of the Portugal squad. Many expected he would attend. Maybe there are reasons we don’t know, but he has to explain. He has that responsibility.”
Sports analyst Luis Cristovao added that the absence was “inexplicable,” while TV commentator Pedro Fatela noted, “This absence will be much discussed. There must be justifications in the coming days.”
Despite his absence, Ronaldo shared a heartfelt tribute on social media shortly after news of the tragedy broke.
“Doesn’t make any sense. Just now we were together in the national team, just now you were married,” he wrote.
“To your family, to your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. R.I.P. Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”