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Ronaldo Leads Emotional Tribute as Portugal Advance on Diogo Jota Anniversary

The match‑day remembrances have been woven into Portugal’s World Cup campaign and the team says the rituals help unite players for the next round.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal Honor Diogo Jota Following Dramatic Win vs. Croatia
Ronaldo Fights Tears, Wears Diogo Jota's Jersey In Emotional Tribute On Death Anniversary | WATCH
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Portugal v Croatia - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - July 2, 2026 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and teammates pose with a shirt in memory of former player Diogo Jota ahead of the one year anniversary of his death, as Portugal qualify for the Round of 16 stage of the World Cup REUTERS/Jeenah Moon
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Overview

  • On Friday, July 3, 2026, Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in Toronto to reach the World Cup Round of 16 and marked the first anniversary of Diogo Jota’s death with visible tributes at the stadium.
  • Cristiano Ronaldo donned and held aloft a No. 21 shirt belonging to Jota after the final whistle, and the squad posed together around the jersey in a moment widely described as emotional.
  • Before kick‑off a large image of Jota appeared on the big screen during the Portuguese national anthem and fans honoured him in the 21st minute, while players wore commemorative wristbands reportedly gifted by the prime minister.
  • Spanish police concluded the July 3, 2025 crash that killed Jota and his brother involved a tyre blowout, the car leaving the road and catching fire, and Liverpool have retired Jota’s No. 20 and unveiled a permanent ‘Forever 20’ memorial at Anfield.
  • Manager Roberto Martínez has named Jota an honorary member of the World Cup squad and teammates say his memory is a unifying force as Portugal prepare to face Spain in the Round of 16.