Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears after Portugal’s World Cup win over Croatia as he paid tribute to his old team-mate Diogo Jota, a year on from his death in a car crash.
At full time, Ronaldo held up and wore a Portugal shirt bearing the number 21 in memory of Jota, who died aged 28 alongside his brother Andre Silva on July 3 last year.
Ronaldo stayed away from the Liverpool star’s funeral mass as he did not want to cause a ‘circus’ – a decision for which he was criticised – but a year later has left a beautiful tribute.
‘We knew it before the game. It was such a special moment. We speak today, our group, about that, the coincidence of life, it’s unbelievable,’ Ronaldo said afterwards of the tribute to Jota.
‘I was amazed because of the situation of today. It means a lot to us, not only because we won the game, but also the way we won the game. It was a difficult game, we knew it.’
Jota racked up 49 caps for the national team, scoring 14 goals, and won the UEFA Nations League with them twice.
Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears on the pitch – wearing a Diogo Jota shirt – at the World Cup
Portugal’s superstar led his team-mates in remembering Jota a year on from his death
His death had a profound impact on football and throughout the years, Liverpool’s players and staff explained how much it had hurt them.
Ronaldo was on holiday in Mallorca last year when Jota died and chose not to return to Portugal in the aftermath for the memorial, explaining to Piers Morgan: ‘Two things, people criticise me a lot. As I say, I don’t care about that, because when you feel your conscience is good, free, you don’t have to be worried about what the people say.
‘But one of the things that I don’t do, it’s after my father died, I’ve never been in a cemetery again.
‘And second, you know my reputation, wherever I go is a circus. I don’t go also because if I go, the attention goes for me and I don’t want this kind of attention.
‘People can continue to criticise me, I felt good with my decision.
‘I don’t need to be in the first line for people to see me, I’m planning the things, I’m thinking about his family.
‘I don’t need to be in the cameras for the people to see what I do. I do [it] behind the scenes, my friend.’
Liverpool revealed on Thursday they have installed a permanent memorial at Anfield to honour Jota and his brother Andre Silva.
Portugal’s players stand around with Ronaldo and his Jota shirt after beating Croatia
Former Liverpool and Portugal forward Jota died in a car crash in Spain on July 3 last year
Reds supporters paid their respects to him throughout the 2025-26 season, singing his name in the 20th minute of every match, while his No 20 shirt was also retired by the club.
And, on the eve of the first anniversary of his death, Liverpool have unveiled a memorial at their home ground for Jota and his brother.
The poignant tribute is named ‘Forever 20’ in honour of Jota’s shirt number and Liverpool say ‘it celebrates their lives, their bond, and the love and respect felt for them by family, team-mates and supporters across the world’.
At the centre of the memorial is a flowing heart sculpture, which is said to acknowledge Jota’s iconic goal celebration.
It also reveals the numbers 20 and 30 when viewed from different angles. Silva, who played for Portuguese side Penafiel at the time of his passing, wore the No 30 shirt.
The lyrics to Jota’s famous chant of ‘he will take us to victory, oh, his name is Diogo’, are featured too.
One side of the memorial reads: ‘In its creation and through the hands of sculptor Emma Rodgers, this memorial has been inspired by the many personal tributes and mementoes left at Anfield by visitors from across the international football community.
‘Some of these tributes are contained within the sculpture and plinth via a unique manufacturing process. It means they are forever embedded.
Liverpool have installed a memorial at Anfield to honour Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva
‘Based on a continuous ‘flowing heart’ design incorporating the brothers’ shirt numbers 20 and 30, the artwork not only conveys the enduring bonds they shared, but also expresses the love and admiration in which they were held by their family, team-mates and fans – with the heart gesture itself reflecting Diogo’s signature goal celebration.
‘This memorial honours the brothers’ lives and celebrates their lasting legacy.’
The memorial is on 97 Avenue at Anfield, the location of the area where thousands of people came to pay tribute in the immediate aftermath of Jota’s passing.
A PlayStation controller also sits on the plinth to mark Jota’s love of gaming and his celebration.
Liverpool added: ‘Every detail has been carefully considered from beginning to end, with the final touches of patina introducing soft hues of Jota’s home flag and the teams he loved throughout his journey.
”Forever 20′ will serve as a permanent symbol of love, unity and remembrance, and a place where everyone can reflect, remember and pay their respects.’
