Why did Cristiano Ronaldo miss Diogo Jota's funeral?

Cristiano Ronaldo, the star of Al-Nassr Saudi club and captain of the Portuguese national team, sparked wide controversy among fans and media by his absence from the funeral of his late teammate Diogo Jota, the English Liverpool player.

Reports clarified that Ronaldo's absence was based on a prior agreement with Jota's family, after he communicated with the deceased's parents and wife. They agreed that his non-attendance would be better to maintain the family's peace and not distract attention from the farewell ceremony at this difficult time.

Diogo Jota tragically passed away in a horrific car accident in Spain with his brother Andre, as confirmed by the local police.

On the other hand, many of the late player's teammates and friends from Liverpool and the Portuguese national team attended, including Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves, who traveled directly from the United States after finishing their participation in the Club World Cup.

The Portuguese newspaper "A Bola" stated that Ronaldo faced widespread criticism for his absence, with some considering that his role as the national team captain required his presence at this event. However, he clarified that he had been in touch with Jota's family, expressing his full support and standing by them at all times, despite not attending the funeral.

Ronaldo had played alongside Diogo Jota in 32 matches for the Portuguese national team, the latest being their victory over Spain in the UEFA Nations League final last month, reflecting a strong relationship that united them both on a sports and personal level.