Portugal paid a moving tribute to the late Diogo Jota following their 2-1 win over Croatia in the FIFA 2026 World Cup Round of 32, with captain Cristiano Ronaldo leading an emotional remembrance on the first anniversary of his former teammate’s death.
The victory secured Portugal a place in the Round of 16 against Spain. Still, the celebrations were overshadowed by memories of Jota, who died in a car accident in Spain on 3 July 2025, just 11 days after marrying his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso. His brother, André Silva, also lost his life in the crash.
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After the final whistle, Ronaldo changed into Portugal’s No. 21 shirt bearing Jota’s name before joining his teammates in holding it aloft in tribute. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, visibly emotional, pointed to the sky as cameras captured the poignant moment.
Earlier, before kick-off in Toronto, Jota’s image appeared on the stadium’s giant screen during Portugal’s national anthem, drawing a loud ovation from supporters.
Ronaldo, who played alongside Jota 32 times for Portugal, admitted the anniversary gave the victory added significance.
“We knew it before the game. It was a special moment,” Ronaldo told Fox Sports.
“We spoke today as a group about the coincidence of life. It’s unbelievable.”
Reflecting on the emotional occasion, he added:
“I was amazed because what happened today means a lot to us—not only because we won the game but also because of the way we won it.”
Speaking to Portugal’s Sport TV, Ronaldo dedicated the victory to his late teammate.
“We know he is present with us, and it only made sense to win today to honour him in the best way.”
Martínez: ‘We want to win the World Cup for him.’
Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez had already made Jota central to the team’s World Cup campaign, symbolically naming the late Liverpool forward as an honorary “plus one” when announcing his squad in May.
“Diogo is our sun and our light,” Martínez said before the match.
“We want to win the World Cup for him.”
Jota was travelling back to Liverpool for pre-season when the Lamborghini carrying him and his brother suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking another vehicle in western Spain.
Doctors had advised the 28-year-old not to fly following minor surgery, prompting him to travel to England by road and ferry.
Rúben Neves still messages Jota
The anniversary has remained deeply emotional for Portugal’s players, particularly midfielder Rúben Neves, one of Jota’s closest friends from their time together at Porto, Wolverhampton Wanderers and the national team.
“I still talk to him,” Neves revealed before the match.
“We have a WhatsApp group with Rute and Diogo, and it’s still there. 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.”
With the emotional victory over Croatia behind them, Portugal now turn their attention to a blockbuster Round of 16 showdown against European champions Spain, carrying the memory of Jota as they continue their quest for World Cup glory.
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