In a heartbreaking turn of events, the football world was left reeling on July 3, 2025, with the tragic news of Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota’s death at the age of 28 in a car crash in Zamora, Spain, alongside his brother André Silva. Among the outpouring of grief from fans, teammates, and clubs, one tribute stood out for its emotional weight: a poignant social media post by Cristiano Ronaldo, Jota’s longtime Portugal teammate and footballing icon. Ronaldo’s message, shared across his Instagram and X accounts, captured the raw sorrow and disbelief felt by many, while honouring Jota’s legacy both on and off the pitch.
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
Ronaldo’s Emotional Tribute
Ronaldo, a global superstar and Portugal’s all-time leading scorer, took to social media to express his devastation, writing: “It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together in the national team, just now you had got married. To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you’ll always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and André. We’ll all miss you.” The post was accompanied by a photo of Ronaldo and Jota together, a powerful reminder of their shared moments in Portugal’s national team, where they won two UEFA Nations League titles together in 2019 and 2025.
The post, shared with Ronaldo’s millions of followers, quickly garnered widespread attention, with fans and fellow players alike echoing his sentiments. Comments flooded in, with one X user noting, “One of the nicest human beings on and off the pitch I’ve ever met,” quoting Ronaldo’s heartfelt words about Jota’s character. The sincerity of Ronaldo’s message resonated deeply, reflecting not only the loss of a talented teammate but also a cherished friend and an “extraordinary person” who was respected by all.
A Bond Forged on the Pitch
Ronaldo and Jota shared a unique connection through their time with the Portuguese national team. Jota, who earned 49 caps and scored 14 goals for Portugal, was often seen as an emerging star in the shadow of Ronaldo’s towering presence. Yet, their relationship was one of mutual respect. Jota frequently spoke of Ronaldo as an inspiration, crediting him for advice that helped him overcome challenges, such as a goal drought in 2023. Ronaldo once likened scoring to “opening a ketchup bottle,” a piece of wisdom Jota recalled fondly after breaking a 12-month Premier League goal drought.
Their dynamic wasn’t without its complexities. During Portugal’s Euro 2024 campaign, Jota’s limited playing time behind Ronaldo sparked debate among fans, with some Liverpool supporters arguing that Jota deserved to start over the then-39-year-old legend. Despite this, Jota never publicly criticized Ronaldo, instead expressing gratitude for the opportunity to learn from him. In a 2024 interview, Jota described Ronaldo as “an icon” and a “reference” who inspired him from a young age. Moments like Jota playfully pushing Ronaldo to the ground during a chaotic training session in 2024 highlighted their camaraderie, even if it drew jeers from some fans at the time.
A Tragic Loss
Just Days After JoyThe timing of Jota’s passing added an extra layer of heartbreak. Just 10 days prior, on June 22, 2025, Jota married his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso, in a ceremony in Porto. His final Instagram post, shared just 19 hours before the crash, was a wedding video captioned, “A day we will never forget.” The post, now flooded with over 20,000 comments from grieving fans, serves as a bittersweet reminder of Jota’s joy in his final days. Ronaldo’s tribute referenced this milestone, noting the cruel irony of Jota’s death coming so soon after such a happy moment.
Jota leaves behind his wife, Rute, and their three young children—two sons and a daughter born in November 2024. The football community has rallied around the family, with Liverpool FC issuing a statement expressing their devastation and pledging full support to Jota’s loved ones. The Portuguese Football Federation also mourned the loss of “two champions,” emphasizing Jota’s infectious joy and lasting legacy.
Jota’s Legacy and Ronaldo’s Reflection
Diogo Jota’s career was marked by remarkable achievements. Rising from Paços de Ferreira’s youth setup to Atlético Madrid, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and finally Liverpool, Jota became a key figure in the Reds’ successes, including two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and a Carabao Cup. His 47 goals in 123 matches for Liverpool and 14 goals for Portugal underscored his clinical finishing and relentless drive. Off the pitch, Jota’s passion for gaming led him to own an eSports team, and his warm personality endeared him to fans and teammates alike.
Ronaldo’s tribute not only mourned Jota’s passing but also highlighted his personal qualities, calling him someone who “will always be with” his family. This sentiment reflects Ronaldo’s deep understanding of legacy, as he himself has often spoken about the importance of family and perseverance. The post also served as a moment of vulnerability for Ronaldo, who, at 40, is navigating the later stages of his own illustrious career. Just weeks earlier, he hinted at a possible exit from Al-Nassr with a cryptic post, suggesting his “story is still being written.” Now, his words for Jota carry the weight of a man reflecting on mortality and the fragility of life.
The Football World’s Response
Ronaldo’s post amplified the global outpouring of grief. Fans on X expressed their shock, with one writing, “Heartbroken. Sending all my love and prayers to Jota’s parents, wife, and beautiful babies. What an absolute legend.” Another commented, “Rest in peace. Football fans gonna miss u. Shocking day to our culture.” Portugal’s Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, and the Portuguese Football Federation also paid tribute, with the latter calling Jota “a reference within his own community.”
As the football world mourns, Ronaldo’s tribute stands as a testament to Jota’s impact. The image of the two players together, shared in Ronaldo’s post, encapsulates a bond forged through shared triumphs and mutual respect. For fans, it’s a reminder of Jota’s brilliance and the profound loss felt across the sport. As Ronaldo wrote, “We’ll all miss you”—a sentiment that echoes far beyond the pitch.
