Cristiano Ronaldo Addresses Absence from Diogo Jota's Funeral
Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo was notably absent from the funeral of his late Portugal teammate Diogo Jota earlier this year. Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, tragically died in a car accident in July, deeply affecting the football community.
Ronaldo's Explanation
In a detailed interview with Piers Morgan, the 40-year-old forward explained his choice to skip the funeral. He revealed that since his father's death, he has avoided going to cemeteries. Ronaldo also emphasized his desire to prevent public attention from turning the event into a spectacle.
“Two things; people criticise me a lot. I don’t care about that. When your conscience is good and free, you don’t have to worry about what people say. But one of the things I don’t do? After my father died, I have never been to a cemetery again. When you know me and you know my reputation? Wherever I go, it is a circus. I don’t go out because, if I go, the attention goes to me. I don’t want this sort of attention.”
“I don’t like it when you go to a sensitive moment to do interviews, to speak about him, to speak about football. This shows how a circus is life, sometimes. If you want to be a part of this world, good luck, but I will be a part of another side. People can continue to criticise.”
Reactions and Context
- Many of Jota’s club and international teammates attended the funeral.
- Ronaldo has faced criticism for his absence but remains firm about his personal reasons.
- He prioritizes privacy and avoids situations where his presence might attract excessive public attention.
Ronaldo's stance highlights the challenges of balancing public life and personal grief amid intense media scrutiny.
Author's Summary
Cristiano Ronaldo explained his absence at Diogo Jota's funeral by citing personal grief and the desire to avoid media spectacle, emphasizing that his conscience is clear despite criticism.