Cristiano Ronaldo paid an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota on the first anniversary of the Portugal forward's tragic death as Portugal secured a hard-fought victory over Croatia to reach the World Cup Round of 16. Before kick-off, Ronaldo held up Jota's No. 21 shirt in a touching gesture, remembering his former international teammate. After the final whistle, the entire Portugal squad gathered around the jersey once again, honouring Jota following the 2-1 win. Ronaldo appeared visibly emotional during the tribute as players stood together in remembrance of the former Liverpool forward. The occasion added extra significance to Portugal's victory, with the team ensuring they marked the day by keeping their World Cup campaign alive.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and teammates pose with a shirt in memory of former player Diogo Jota ahead of the one year anniversary of his death, as Portugal qualify for the Round of 16 stage of the World Cup. (REUTERS)
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Ronaldo admitted the occasion carried far greater meaning than football, saying Portugal had spoken about Jota throughout the day and describing the timing of the victory on the anniversary of his death as an incredible coincidence.
"We knew it before the game, it was a so special moment," Ronaldo told Fox. "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."
"We won for us, for Diogo, and for Portugal!!! LET'S GO!!!!" Ronaldo wrote on Instagram alongside a team photograph in which the Portugal squad posed with Jota's No. 21 jersey after sealing a place in the Round of 16.
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When the clock reached the 21st minute, the fans rose to their feet in a touching tribute. They unfurled a giant banner bearing Diogo Jota's image and raised balloons displaying his iconic No. 21, creating an emotional moment inside the stadium.
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When the clock reached the 21st minute, the fans rose to their feet in a touching tribute. They unfurled a giant banner bearing Diogo Jota's image and raised balloons displaying his iconic No. 21, creating an emotional moment inside the stadium.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez, who has described Jota as "our light" and named him an honorary member of the World Cup squad, said his team's performance showed what the player meant for his team.
"Several beautiful symbols of power and energy and what Jota meant for the team. He was someone who believed, and we have (a) responsibility for Diogo and we are going to keep doing this," he told reporters.
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Meanwhile, Portugal survived a major scare against Croatia, with the match being decided deep into stoppage time. Goncalo Ramos headed home the winner to seal a dramatic 2-1 victory, while Cristiano Ronaldo had earlier levelled the scores from the penalty spot after Croatia's opener. The win sends Portugal into the Round of 16, where they will face Spain in one of the standout ties of the knockout stage.
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.
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Home/Sports/Football/Cristiano Ronaldo honours Diogo Jota after Portugal survive Croatia scare: ‘We speak about coincidence of life’
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