Cristiano Ronaldo mourns
Diogo Jota says “It doesn’t
make sense”
Cristiano Ronaldo has led the
tributes to Diogo Jota following
the tragic passing of the
Liverpool and Portugal forward
in a fatal road accident in
Zamora, Spain.
Jota, 28, was confirmed dead
alongside his younger brother
André after their vehicle veered
off the A-52 highway in the early
hours of the morning and caught
fire. The incident, as reported by
Marca, has sent shockwaves
through the football world,
particularly in Portugal, where
Jota had become a key figure in
the national team.
Diogo Jota, left, and Cristiano
Ronaldo celebrate following
Portugal’s victory in the penalty
shootout during the UEFA EURO
2024 round-of-16 match against
Slovenia at Frankfurt Arena on
July 1, 2024 in Germany [Stu
Forster/Getty Images]
Portugal captain Cristiano
Ronaldo, visibly shaken by the
news, paid an emotional tribute
to his former international
teammate via his X handle.
“It doesn’t make sense. Just now
we were together in the national
team, and now you’ve gotten
married. To your family, your
wife and your children, I send my
condolences and wish you all the
strength in the world,” Ronaldo
wrote.
“I know you’ll always be with
them. Rest in peace, Diogo and
André. We’ll all miss you.”
Não faz sentido. Ainda agora
estávamos juntos na Seleção,
ainda agora tinhas casado. À tua
familia, à tua mulher e aos teus
filhos, envio os meus
sentimentos e desejo-lhes toda a
força do mundo. Sei que estarás
sempre com eles. Descansem em
Paz, Diogo e André. Vamos todos
sentir… pic.twitter.com/
H1qSTvPoQs
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano)
July 3, 2025
Jota had only recently celebrated
his wedding to Rute Cardoso on
June 22, just ten days before the
fatal accident. The couple had
three children.
A decorated forward, Jota
represented Portugal at every
youth level before earning his
senior debut in 2019. He made
over 30 appearances for the
Seleção and played in major
tournaments including Euro
2020 and the 2022 FIFA World
Cup.
His passing has united the
football world in grief, with
tributes pouring in from clubs,
teammates and supporters
across the globe.
Softfootball earlier reported the
statement from Liverpool FC
confirming the news and has
pledged full support to the Jota
family during this difficult time .
The crash occurred at kilometre
65 of the A-52 in Sanabria, with
tyre failure suspected to have
caused the vehicle to veer off the
road before it caught fire.
Flags are expected to fly at half-
mast across Portuguese
stadiums this weekend as a mark
of respect for Jota and his
brother.
The Portuguese Football
Federation is yet to announce
further memorial arrangements.