Cristiano Ronaldo Breaks Silence On Not Attending Diogo Jota's Funeral: 'After My Father Died...'

Cristiano Ronaldo Breaks Silence on Missing Diogo Jota's Funeral

Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo addressed the criticism he faced for not attending the funeral of his late Portugal teammate, Diogo Jota, who tragically died in a car accident with his brother André Silva in July. While many players and friends attended, Ronaldo’s absence was widely noticed.

Ronaldo’s Explanation

In an interview with Piers Morgan, the 40-year-old forward explained that personal reasons and media pressure influenced his decision. He emphasized that his conscience was clear despite public judgment.

“Two things; people criticise me a lot. I don’t care about that. When your conscience is good and free, you don’t have to worry about what people say.”
“After my father died, I have never been to a cemetery again. Wherever I go, it becomes a circus. I avoid public events like funerals because I don’t want that kind of attention.”

His View on Media and Public Attention

Ronaldo added that he dislikes media chaos around emotional moments, saying it disrespects the sensitivity of the occasion. He wants to distance himself from the spectacle surrounding his public appearances.

“I don’t like it when you go to a sensitive moment to do interviews, to speak about him, to speak about football. This shows how a circus is life, sometimes.”

Criticism and Perspective

The player concluded that he accepts criticism but chooses to live life differently from those who seek media exposure. Ronaldo’s reflection highlighted his wish for privacy and quiet respect in personal matters.

Author’s Summary: Ronaldo defended missing Jota’s funeral, explaining he avoids cemeteries and media attention since his father’s death, valuing privacy over public perception.

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News18 News18 — 2025-11-08

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