Overview
- The Portugal team beat Croatia 2-1 in Toronto and celebrated qualification with a tribute to Diogo Jota after the match when Cristiano Ronaldo wore and held aloft a No.21 shirt on the first anniversary of Jota’s death on July 3, 2026.
- Across the World Cup campaign the squad has carried formal remembrances including Jota’s designation as an honorary squad member, wristbands gifted by the prime minister, a bronze tribute at the national training centre, and Liverpool’s retired No.20 and 'Forever 20' memorial.
- Spanish Civil Guard investigators concluded last year that Jota and his brother André Silva died when their Lamborghini left the A-52 after a tyre blowout while overtaking, the vehicle caught fire and no other vehicle was involved.
- Jota had married his partner Rute Cardoso 11 days before the crash and left three young children; his parents have been invited to and attended national team tributes and remain publicly involved in memorial events.
- The public and ritualised nature of the tributes has been described by teammates and coaches as a source of motivation for Portugal and will carry into their next match in the last 16, where the team will face Spain.