Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed the emotional impact Diogo Jota's 'devastating' death had on him.
The former Liverpool forward tragically passed away aged 28 in July after a fatal car crash in Spain.
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - JULY 01: Diogo Jota and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrate following the team's victory in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia at Frankfurt Arena on July 01, 2024 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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Ronaldo has revealed the emotional impact Diogo Jota's death has had on himCredit: Getty
Liverpool pay tribute to Diogo Jota at Anfield
Tributes flooded in for Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who also died in the accident.
Ronaldo was amongst those to pay tribute to the pair, having played alongside Jota for Portugal.
Jota won 32 of his 49 international caps alongside the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
They were also both part of Portugal's Nations League-winning sides in 2019 and 2025.
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Reflecting on the moment he learned of Jota's death, Ronaldo told Piers Morgan Uncensored: "I didn't believe (it) when they sent me messages.
"I cry a lot. It was a very, very difficult moment for everybody, for the country, for families, for friends, for teammates, devastating. Very, very, very sad news.
"It was a shock moment. We still feel the aura there in the national team, when you put on the shirt, because Diogo was one of us."
As for their relationship, he added: "He was a very good guy, a quiet guy, and a good player, but not a guy that speaks too much.
"I really liked to meet (with) him, to share with him some great moments. It was sad.
"I had the opportunity to speak with their family and to give support, because everything is gone because of one moment."
Ronaldo has explained there were two reasons why he did not attend Jota's funeral
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Ronaldo has explained there were two reasons why he did not attend Jota's funeralCredit: Piers Morgan Uncensored
Why did Ronaldo not go to Jota's funeral?
A funeral for Jota and Silva was later held in Portugal, with a number of their current and former team-mates in attendance.
However, Ronaldo was a notable absentee from the ceremony, with some fans questioning why he did not attend.
The 40-year-old has now addressed his decision by revealing two reasons why he chose not to go to the funeral.
He explained: "Two things, people criticise me a lot. As I say, I don't care about that, because when you feel your conscience is good, free, you don't have to be worried about what the people say.
"But one of the things that I don't do, it's after my father died, I've never been in a cemetery again.
"And second, my reputation, wherever I go is a circus. I don’t go also because if I go, the attention goes for me and I don’t want this kind of attention."
Cristiano Ronaldo centre-forward of Portugal and Al-Nassr FC and Diogo Jota left winger of Portugal and Liverpool FC during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Portugal and Czechia at Football Stadium Leipzig on June 18, 2024 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Jota and Ronaldo played together 32 times for Portugal and won the Nations League twiceCredit: Getty
Ronaldo's father passed away in 2005 when the then Manchester United star was aged 20.
He continued: "People can continue to criticise me. I felt good with my decision. I don't need to be in the first line for people to see me.
"I'm planning the things, I'm thinking about his family, I don't need to be in the cameras for the people to see what I do. I do (it) behind the scenes."
Tributes have continued to be paid to Jota in the months since his death.
Liverpool have retired his No.20 shirt across all their men's and women's team at youth and senior level.
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Real Madrid players and staff, including Jota's former team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold, also visited a memorial at Anfield this week.
Watch the full interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored, YouTube.