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Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his joy at being able to pay tribute to Diogo Jota following Portugal's win against Croatia on Thursday night.
Friday marks the first anniversary of the tragic deaths of Jota and his brother, André Silva, in a road accident. Liverpool commemorated the occasion by unveiling a memorial at Anfield, while the Portugal squad had the chance to honor the winger on the field.
Ronaldo donned Jota's No.21 shirt during Portugal's celebrations of their thrilling victory, gesturing toward the sky with tears streaming down his face.
"It was such a special moment," Ronaldo reflected. "We spoke today, as a group, about the coincidence of life — it's unbelievable. I was moved because what happened today means so much to us, not only because we won the match but also because of the way it unfolded."
Ronaldo continued: "We know he is with us and it only made sense to win today to honor him in the best possible way."
Martínez: Jota Helped Portugal Through
Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez declared that Jota guided the team through their round-of-32 encounter with Croatia, also paying his respects to both Silva and the father of assistant coach Ricardo Carvalho, who passed away just days before the fixture.
"Our players played for Portugal, for Ricardo Carvalho's father, and for our Diogo Jota and André," Martínez said.
"It was a classic Diogo game. 2–1, which is number 21, against Croatia, which was the last team he scored against, at Jamor. So many signs. Diogo showed tremendous strength and energy. He is very happy and proud right now."
Winger Rafael Leão echoed those sentiments, stating: "There was an extra factor that was decisive — Diogo Jota, who is always with us and who also helped us through."
"Every day is special because we talk about [Jota] every single day," said striker Gonçalo Ramos. "He gives us strength, and it is truly special to have won today and to have advanced to one of the most important stages of this tournament."
Arne Slot Thanks Portugal for Jota Tributes
Portugal's heartfelt tributes to Jota did not go unnoticed by former Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who was at the helm at Anfield at the time of his passing. The Dutchman spoke to AD to express his gratitude to Martínez's squad for keeping his memory alive.
"When I think about the person he was, I always come back to the same things," he began. "He always put the team first. He got on well with everyone, regardless of their position or role, and he had a unique ability to make people feel valued.
"Those qualities earned him the admiration of everyone around him, and they are the reason we miss him so deeply. He will always be remembered with tremendous fondness. That is the legacy he leaves behind.
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"It is very emotional to see how Portugal is honoring Diogo. Wearing those bracelets is truly a beautiful gesture. It shows how much respect and love everyone had for him. He was not just an exceptional player; he was someone who brought people together. He cared about the group, always put the team first, and made everyone around him feel valued.
"Seeing how his teammates carry his memory onto the pitch is a fitting tribute. I hope it reminds people of the kind of person he was, just as much as the player he became."