Following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Croatia, the Portuguese national team paid an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota. This match occurred nearly one year after Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, were killed in a car accident in Spain on July 3, 2025. Following the final whistle, Cristiano Ronaldo displayed a shirt marked with the number 21 to honor his late teammate as the squad gathered together.
Before kickoff in Toronto, supporters cheered when Jota’s image was projected onto the stadium screens during the national anthem. Manager Roberto Martinez, who had previously named Jota an honorary squad member, described the late forward as the team’s light. His close friend and teammate, Ruben Neves, revealed that he continues to send messages to a WhatsApp group that includes Jota’s partner, Rute Cardoso, to keep his memory alive.
The Portuguese team has incorporated several tributes into their World Cup campaign. Players wear custom green and red wristbands gifted by Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, which feature the names of all current squad members alongside Jota’s. Neves also commemorated his friend with a permanent tattoo on his calf depicting an embrace between the two. Despite a challenging group stage, Martinez noted that Jota’s memory continues to serve as a vital source of motivation for the players as they progress to the round of 16.
