Cristiano Ronaldo has spent more than two decades carrying the weight of expectation for Portugal, but on Friday night in Yerevan he carried something heavier: the grief of a nation still mourning the loss of Diogo Jota.
In Portugal‘s first match since the Liverpool forward’s tragic death in a car accident in Spain, Ronaldo delivered a tribute that spoke louder than any words or Instagram posts could.
The 39-year-old scored twice in Portugal‘s 5-0 demolition of Armenia in a World Cup qualifier, yet it was his first goal in the 21st minute that will be remembered.
Ronaldo pointed to the sky in a gesture unmistakably meant for Jota, who wore the No. 21 shirt for his country. For a player who has built his career on timing, the symbolism was impossible to miss.
Jota, who died alongside his brother Andre on July 3, was more than just a teammate to many in the squad. Joao Felix, who opened the scoring on ten minutes, later added a second, while Joao Cancelo marked his goal with Jota’s signature PlayStation celebration.
Ruben Neves, one of Jota‘s closest friends from their days together at Wolves, switched his shirt number to 21 in his honor.
Before kickoff, the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium fell silent in a moment of remembrance. Players stood arm in arm, some visibly emotional, as images of Jota appeared in the stands among supporters who had traveled from Portugal.
The tributes extended beyond the pitch too, Neves revealed a tattoo of himself with Jota on his leg earlier this summer, while Liverpool confirmed they would retire his No. 20 shirt.
“Cristiano’s gesture was perfect,” one fan wrote on Portuguese television’s post-match coverage. “For 21 to come in the 21st minute, it felt like destiny.”
Ronaldo’s celebration also served as a pointed response to those who criticized his absence from Jota‘s funeral in Gondomar. His decision not to attend had sparked debate in Portugal, with some suggesting it was disrespectful.
But his sister, Katia Aveiro, explained in a heartfelt Instagram post that her brother chose to stay away out of respect, fearing his presence would overshadow the family’s grief.
“When our father died, the cameras and crowds made everything unbearable,” she wrote. “Cristiano didn’t want that for Diogo’s family. He chose not to make their pain bigger.”
That explanation didn’t silence all detractors, but Ronaldo‘s performance in Armenia offered the clearest indication yet of his respect for his former teammate. His tribute was raw, personal, and impossible to ignore.
Jota’s legacy with Portugal
Jota, who made 49 appearances and scored 14 goals for Portugal, had become an essential part of the national setup since his debut in 2019.
He and Ronaldo combined for seven goals in their time together, including in Portugal’s UEFA Nations League triumph just weeks before the accident.
At club level, his career spanned successful spells with Wolves and Liverpool, where he won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, and Community Shield.
Murals across Liverpool testify to the connection he built with fans, while teammates from Mohamed Salah to Luis Diaz have paid their respects publicly.
His sudden death at just 27 years old leaves a void that cannot be filled, yet Friday’s match showed how deeply his spirit remains woven into the fabric of Portuguese football.
A symbolic victory
Portugal‘s 5-0 win pushed them further along the path to World Cup qualification, but the night was less about points than about catharsis.
Roberto Martinez‘s side played with a sharpness that suggested they wanted to honor Jota with more than just gestures.
“Tonight was about Diogo,” Martinez told reporters afterward. “Every pass, every goal, every celebration carried his memory.”
For Ronaldo, who has been both celebrated and scrutinized in equal measure for decades, the tribute may also mark a turning point.
The criticism over his absence at the funeral will not be forgotten, but his actions on the pitch in Yerevan felt like a definitive answer.
As Portugal look ahead to the rest of their qualifying campaign, the memory of Jota will remain close.
For one night at least, the team reminded the world of the power of football to channel grief into unity, and it was Ronaldo, once again, who led the way.
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