Cristiano Ronaldo Addresses Absence from Diogo Jota's Funeral
Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo was notably absent from the funeral of his late Portugal teammate Diogo Jota earlier this year. Ronaldo has responded to criticism about skipping the funeral, explaining his reasons and defending his conscience.
Tragic Loss of Diogo Jota
Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva tragically died in a car accident in July, leaving the football community in grief. While many of Jota’s club and national teammates attended the funeral, Ronaldo did not.
Ronaldo's Explanation in Interview
"Two things; people criticise me a lot. I don’t care about that. When your conscience is good and free, you don’t have to worry about what people say."
The 40-year-old shared in an interview with Piers Morgan that since his father’s passing, he has never visited a cemetery again and chose not to attend Jota’s funeral to avoid turning the event into a spectacle.
"After my father died, I have never been to a cemetery again. When you know me and you know my reputation? Wherever I go, it is a circus. I don’t go out because, if I go, the attention goes to me. I don’t want this sort of attention."
On Public Attention and Criticism
"I don’t like it when you go to a sensitive moment to do interviews, to speak about him, to speak about football. This shows how a circus is life, sometimes. If you want to be a part of this world, good luck, but I will be a part of another side. People can continue to criticise."
Ronaldo emphasized his desire to avoid media frenzy at private moments and stands firm amid ongoing criticism.
Author's Summary
Cristiano Ronaldo explained his absence from Diogo Jota's funeral by citing personal grief and media attention fears, affirming his clear conscience despite public criticism.