Ronaldo weeps – Cristiano Ronaldo broke down in tears wearing Diogo Jota’s shirt after Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 at the World Cup, a year after Jota’s death in a car crash in Spain. The moment came as he paid tribute by holding up and wearing a Portugal shirt marked with Jota
When the final whistle went, Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t walk away from the moment. He lifted a Portugal shirt marked with the number 21. then wore it—Diogo Jota’s shirt draped over his shoulders—his face breaking as tears took over. For Portugal, the night ended with a 2-1 win over Croatia and passage to the World Cup last 16. For Ronaldo, it landed differently: a year on from a death that still sits too close to the surface.
Portugal’s path to the last 16 was shaped by Ronaldo and Gonçalo Ramos. Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot, and Gonçalo Ramos delivered a 94th-minute winner as Portugal edged Croatia 2-1 overnight. 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 said afterwards: “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.” He added: “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.”.
The tribute carried a weight that went beyond football details. Jota racked up 49 caps for Portugal, scoring 14 goals. He also won the UEFA Nations League with the national team twice. Ronaldo’s tears made plain how much that shared history still matters a year after Jota’s death in a car crash in Spain.
Ronaldo had been on holiday in Mallorca when Jota died last year. He stayed away from the funeral mass. saying he didn’t want to “cause a ‘circus’. ” a choice that drew criticism at the time. In an explanation to Piers Morgan, Ronaldo said: “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.” He continued: “But one of the things that I don’t do. it’s after my father died. I’ve never been in a cemetery again.”.
He added that his public reputation would bring unwanted attention: “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.” Ronaldo said people could “continue to criticise” him. insisting: “I felt good with my decision.” He also said he didn’t feel he needed to be “in the first line” because “I’m planning the things. I’m thinking about his family. ” and that he would do things “behind the scenes.”.
A year later, the contrast is stark. On the pitch, Ronaldo wore Jota’s memory in a way the world could see. In the stands and around Anfield, Liverpool have made sure the remembrance is permanent too.
Liverpool revealed on Thursday that they have installed a permanent memorial at Anfield to honour Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. The memorial is named “Forever 20. ” tied to Jota’s shirt number and described by the club as celebrating “their lives. their bond. and the love and respect felt for them by family. team-mates and supporters across the world.”.
At the centre is a flowing heart sculpture, designed to acknowledge Jota’s iconic goal celebration. The artwork is said to reveal the numbers 20 and 30 when viewed from different angles—Jota wore No 20. while Silva. who played for Portuguese side Penafiel at the time of his passing. wore the No 30 shirt. The memorial also features the lyrics to Jota’s famous chant: “he will take us to victory. oh. his name is Diogo.”.
One side of “Forever 20” 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.” Liverpool added that some of those tributes are contained within the sculpture and plinth through a unique manufacturing process. meaning they are “forever embedded.”.
Liverpool says the memorial is built on a continuous “flowing heart” design incorporating the brothers’ shirt numbers 20 and 30. The club says it “not only conveys the enduring bonds they shared. ” but also expresses the love and admiration felt for them. with “the heart gesture itself reflecting Diogo’s signature goal celebration.” The statement continues: “This memorial honours the brothers’ lives and celebrates their lasting legacy.”.
The memorial sits on 97 Avenue at Anfield. at the location of the area where thousands of people came to pay tribute in the immediate aftermath of Jota’s passing. A PlayStation controller sits on the plinth to mark Jota’s love of gaming and his celebration. Liverpool added that “Every detail has been carefully considered from beginning to end. ” with final touches of patina introducing soft hues of Jota’s home flag and the teams he loved throughout his journey.
Back at the World Cup, Ronaldo’s tribute was immediate and personal, but it was also a shared emotional language with everyone who continues to carry Jota’s name. Portugal’s win over Croatia was not only about reaching the last 16—it was about who they were doing it for.
The sequence of those facts now feels inseparable. Ronaldo scored the penalty that kept Portugal alive. Gonçalo Ramos struck late to send them through. and at full time Ronaldo chose to wear Jota’s memory on the biggest stage possible—while across the year. Liverpool’s supporters have paid their respects through the 2025-26 season. singing Jota’s name in the 20th minute of every match. with his No 20 shirt retired by the club. The tears on the pitch and the memorial at Anfield on the eve of the first anniversary have the same message in different forms: remembrance didn’t end with the headline of a tragedy on July 3—it carried on. and it keeps carrying on.
Cristiano Ronaldo Diogo Jota Portugal vs Croatia World Cup Goncalo Ramos Forever 20 memorial Liverpool Andre Silva car crash July 3