Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo honor late Diogo Jota after World Cup win

Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo honor late Diogo Jota after World Cup win

Portugal advanced to the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday, after a 2-1 comeback victory over Croatia at BMO Field in Toronto. While the result secured a date with Iberian rivals Spain, the match served as a poignant memorial for the Portuguese squad. July 3 marks the first anniversary of the death of former national team forward Diogo Jota.

The emotional atmosphere began before kick-off. Organizers projected images of Jota on stadium screens, and fans displayed tribute banners. The Portuguese players wore black armbands and commemorative wristbands, which the squad has utilized throughout their World Cup campaign. During the national anthem, several players were visibly emotional, including Cristiano Ronaldo.

Portugal's victory was secured in the dying moments when substitute Goncalo Ramos scored a deft header. The match was marked by controversy after VAR intervened to disallow an apparent equalizing goal by Croatia's Josko Gvardiol, a decision that was deemed correct despite being contentious. Portugal had previously trailed in the match before mounting the successful comeback.

Following the final whistle, Ronaldo, who claimed Man of the Match honors after scoring a goal, donned Jota's No. 21 Portugal jersey. He and the rest of the squad posed with the shirt, holding it aloft for the fans. Ruben Neves, a close friend of Jota and former teammate at Porto and Wolves, continues to wear the number 21 in honor of the late forward.

"Unbelievable. We knew it before the game. It was a so special moment,"

Ronaldo added that the group had discussed the anniversary before the match, calling the timing and the manner of the win a coincidence of life.

In an Instagram post featuring the squad with Jota's jersey, Ronaldo wrote: We won for ourselves, for Diogo, and for Portugal!!! LET'S GO!!!!

The tribute honors a player who was considered a vital part of Portugal's World Cup project. Coach Roberto Martinez had named Jota as an honorary plus-one player during the squad announcement in May. Throughout his career, Jota earned 49 caps and scored 14 goals for his country, also providing 12 assists. Though he played in the 2020 and 2024 European Championships, a calf injury in October 2022 prevented him from appearing in the World Cup in Qatar.

Jota, 28, and his 25-year-old brother, Andre Silva, died on July 3, 2025, in a one-car accident in Spain. According to reports, Jota was driving a Lamborghini Huracan to Santander to catch a ferry to the UK, as he was unable to fly due to a post-surgical recovery plan. The vehicle suffered a tire blowout while Jota was attempting to pass another car, causing the car to veer off the road in Cernadilla, collide with the central reservation, and burst into flames. Both Jota and Silva died at the scene.

The loss resonated beyond the Portuguese national team. Andy Robertson of Scotland, a longtime teammate of Jota at Liverpool, noted that he had been thinking of his friend during Scotland's own World Cup appearance, recalling their shared conversations about the tournament.

The bond between the squad and the late player remains active. Ruben Neves mentioned that a WhatsApp group including Jota's widow, Rute, still exists and that he archives conversations to continue sending messages to Jota.

Portugal now prepares to face Spain in the Round of 16 as they seek their first-ever FIFA World Cup title.