Rúben Neves will wear Diogo Jota’s No. 21 and carry a tattoo of them together into Portugal’s World Cup match against Colombia in Miami Gardens, after Jota’s death in a July 2025 car crash. Neves says he still talks to Jota through a WhatsApp group, and teamma
In the biggest moments, Rúben Neves doesn’t just play—he remembers.
He tugged at his left sock last October against Ireland. seconds after Portugal’s stoppage-time winner. then pulled it down to reveal a tattoo on his calf: Diogo Jota etched alongside him. Neves kissed the No. 21 on his shirt and pointed to the sky before the match’s emotion turned into something more personal. Now, the same image is set to travel with him into Miami Stadium.
Saturday night, Portugal faces Colombia in Miami Gardens with first place in Group K on the line. Neves will be there with the memory of Jota close enough to feel, even when the opponent changes. “More than anything. it is to be able to have him with me and with us in this World Cup. ” Neves said. “Because I know that one of his great goals in his career was to participate in the championship.”.
Jota died in July 2025 in a car accident in Spain, alongside his brother André Silva. He was 28. At Jota’s funeral, Neves carried his coffin.
The two shared 164 matches across their careers—starting at Porto, then moving through Wolverhampton Wanderers, and later together on the Portugal national team. The grief has not faded since. Neves keeps Jota close in ways teammates can see on the outside and in details most people never hear.
Neves now wears Jota’s No. 21 jersey. On Portuguese television program Alta Definição on SIC, he said he still reaches out. “I still talk to him,” Neves said. “Few people know this. We have a WhatsApp group with [Jota’s wife] Rute [Cardoso] and Diogo. and it’s still there. and we continue to talk there. Whenever something special happens, I have the conversations archived on my WhatsApp so I can continue to send him messages.”.
Portugal’s tribute isn’t only a Neves story. Forward Francisco Trincão said Jota’s presence has taken on a different shape inside the team—something that turns loss into momentum.
Trincão, who came off the bench in the emotional qualifier win over Ireland, said, “I think it’s giving us more strength, and giving us more belief that we have a strength from outside, from something different.” He added, “So we have to use it for our games and to win.”
Portugal enters Saturday’s match second in Group K with four points, just behind Colombia with six. Both teams have already advanced to the round of 32. For Neves. the tournament may be marching toward the next stage. but the meaning of the moment is tied to one person who won’t be walking the touchline.
As the group comes down to a final push for first place, Neves and Portugal carry Jota with them—through a tattoo on his calf, through a No. 21 jersey, and through conversations Neves says he saves so the messages can keep going.
Rúben Neves Diogo Jota Portugal vs Colombia World Cup Miami Gardens Group K tattoo No. 21 jersey WhatsApp group