Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute to late teammate Diogo Jota after Portugal beat Croatia to march into the FIFA World Cup Round of 16. After the final whistle.
A teary-eyed Ronaldo was seen wearing Jota’s jersey no. 21, pointing towards the sky. Jota unfortunately passed away last year in a road accident at the age of 28. The footballer and his brother Silva were reportedly driving to a ferry in Spain to travel to Britain when their car slipped off the road and burst into flames.
“We knew it before the game, it was a so special moment. We speak today, our group, about the coincidence of life, it’s unbelievable. I was amazed because the situation of today it means a lot to us, not only because we won the game but also the way,” Ronaldo told Fox.
“We know he is present with us and it only made sense to win today to honor him in the best way,” added Ronaldo to Portugal’s Sport TV.