As soon as the match ended, the Portuguese players didn’t rush into a frenzied celebration. Instead, the entire team quickly gathered in the middle of the field to perform a ritual in memory of their unfortunate teammate.
In that moment, Ronaldo evoked strong emotions as he donned the number 21 jersey, the number associated with Jota in the national team. The Portuguese captain then carefully held the jersey bearing his late teammate’s name, standing in the center of the team photo.
CR7’s face was almost devoid of a smile. His somber gaze and emotional expression left many feeling deeply moved. For Ronaldo, it wasn’t simply a tribute, but also a memorial for a teammate who had fought alongside him in many major campaigns for the Portuguese national team.
Around Ronaldo, the players, coaching staff, and team members gathered in a circle of unity. They all turned their gaze towards the number 21 jersey, as if to affirm that Diogo Jota will always be present in the hearts of the “Seleccao”.
A few minutes earlier, as he left the field, Ronaldo repeatedly looked up at the stands, continuously applauding to show his gratitude to the fans.
The 41-year-old superstar’s face still bore the marks of an emotionally charged match, from the historic goal to the tense moments against Croatia.
The image of Ronaldo holding the number 21 jersey quickly spread on social media and became one of the most shared moments after the match. Millions of fans expressed their emotion at how the Portuguese national team came together to remember their deceased teammate.
July 3rd became a special milestone for Portuguese football since Jota’s tragic death in an accident. A year after that tragedy, “Seleccao” not only won to advance to the Round of 16 of the World Cup, but also sent their former teammate the most meaningful gift.
Jota may no longer be on the pitch, but his memory lives on in the hearts of his teammates and millions of Portuguese fans.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored to equalize 1-1 for Portugal against Croatia in the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup on the morning of July 3rd.