A tearful Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal’s post-match tributes to Diogo Jota on the anniversary of his death, after a 2-1 comeback win over Croatia.
Portugal progressed to the last 16 of the World Cup after Goncalo Ramos’ stoppage-time winner decided a tie poised following goals from Ivan Perisic and Ronaldo.
It came on a significant date for the country and those involved, with the day turning to July 3 in Portugal by the time the game had concluded.
July 3, 2025 saw Jota and his brother Andre Silva tragically lose their lives in a car crash while travelling back to Merseyside to report for pre-season with Liverpool.
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 3, 2026
A year on, Ronaldo wore the striker’s No. 21 Portugal shirt after the game as he, his team-mates and head coach Roberto Martinez’s staff walked the pitch in tribute.
“We won for ourselves, for Diogo, and for Portugal!” Ronaldo wrote on Instagram.
In his post-match press conference, Martinez reflected: “Croatia, the last team Jota scored against for the national team. 2-1, which is Diogo Jota‘s [number]. Many signs, and we deserved the victory.
“[These were] signs of the strength and energy that Diogo Jota brought to the national team.
“A focus of belief, and we have a responsibility to Diogo Jota to continue showing the values of the team we had. He is our guiding light in the World Cup.”
Liverpool’s tributes to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva
Ahead of the anniversary of Jota’s passing, Liverpool unveiled a new sculpture outside Anfield in tribute to Diogo and Andre, titled ‘Forever 20’.
Wreaths were laid at the memorial on Friday morning with club representatives Ian Rush and Natasha Dowie among those paying their respects to the brothers.
Jota was a phenomenal striker but also a person who captured the essence of Liverpool; a player who simply got what it meant to represent the club and its city.
His death is felt strongly a year on and it is one those around Anfield will never fully recover from – as is the case back in Portugal, with Jota’s former team-mates looking to win the World Cup in his honour.
Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre.
White Diagonal three (32)
White Diagonal three (32)
Isak (1)
Isak (1)