Ruben Neves was left infuriated after Saudi Pro League fans chanted Liverpool star Diogo Jota's name to him during a match, with the star's reaction being captured on social media
PORTO, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 16: A memorial for Diogo Jota is seen on a screen in the stands during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Portugal and Armenia at Estadio do Dragao on November 16, 2025 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
One of Diogo Jota's former teammates was subjected to a cruel chant while playing in Saudi Arabia(Image: Getty Images)
Ruben Neves, Diogo Jota's former teammate, was left fuming after opposing fans taunted him with a vile chant.
On Saturday, Al-Hilal trounced Al-Taawoun, 6-0, with Ollie Watkins recording a brace, Gabriel Martinelli scoring a hat trick, and Sultan Mandash adding a goal in the 75th minute to end the demolition. Though it was Watkins, Martinelli, and Mandash who provided the pain, it was Neves, the former Premier League star, who was the target of Al-Taawoun's fans.
The moment was captured on video and went viral, especially after Neves' reaction to the chants spread across social media, with Jota's close friend making clear what he thought of them.
In a clip viewed over 4.4 million times on X, fans spotted Neves standing and conversing with his Al-Hilal teammates. As the 29-year-old stood, the fans began to chant "Jota, Jota, Jota!" prompting the star to repeatedly point to his eye and then to the sky, seemingly intimating to the fans that God sees their actions.
After the match, Neves' reaction in the mixed zone was once again captured on video, with his comments amassing more than 2.7 million views on X. "I hope they don't go to prayer later," Neves was heard saying, with the rest of his comment trailing off as he quickly made his way through the mixed zone.
For Neves, Jota's death was one that shook him, considering the two have played at Porto, Wolverhampton, and the Portugal national team. After the Liverpool star's shocking death, Neves commissioned a tattoo on his lower leg, which featured himself and Jota embracing.
Diogo Jota of Portugal and Ruben Neves pose for a photograph with the UEFA Nations League trophy after his team's victory in the UEFA Nations League 2025 final match between Portugal and Spain at Munich Football Arena on June 08, 2025 in Munich, Germany
Jota and Neves were teammates with Portugal and Wolves(Image: Photo by Maja Hitij - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
What's more, Neves even wore Jota's No. 21 jersey during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with then-Portugal manager Roberto Martinez proclaiming the star was the perfect player to honor Jota and his legacy.
"The number 21 jersey will go to Ruben Neves because, that way, that number will remain on the field and with all of us," Martinez said in August 2025 of the decision, per BBC Sport. "He had a very close relationship with Diogo and is the ideal person to represent him."
Neves was also in attendance when Liverpool faced Wolves in March 2026, with both clubs displaying their own tributes to the late Jota.
Play stopped at the 18th minute of the match in honor of Jota, who wore No. 18 while playing for the Midlands club. Neves and Jota's family was spotted together at the fixture, honoring the life of the late star.
Liverpool also retired the No. 20 jersey across all levels of the club in honor of Jota, a decision made in consultation with the star's family.
"I believe this is the first time in Liverpool Football Club’s history that such an honor has been bestowed upon an individual. Therefore, we can say this is a unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person," FSG CEO of Football Michael Edwards' statement read.
"By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal — and therefore never to be forgotten. Diogo joined us in 2020, he won us number 20, and he wore — with honor, distinction and affection — the number 20.
"As far as Liverpool Football Club is concerned, he will be forever our number 20."