On July 2, 2026, following a 2-1 victory over Croatia in a World Cup round-of-32 match in Toronto, Cristiano Ronaldo honored the memory of his late teammate, Diogo Jota. Following the final whistle, Ronaldo donned a Portugal jersey bearing the number 21—the shirt number formerly worn by Jota—and acknowledged the crowd while visibly moved.
The match coincided with the eve of the one-year anniversary of the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva, who died in a road accident in Spain on July 3, 2025.
Match Context and Memorial Efforts
The fixture concluded with a decisive goal from Gonçalo Ramos in stoppage time, securing Portugal’s advancement to the next round. The atmosphere was noted for its intensity, marked by both competitive stakes and the collective mourning of the squad.
Ronaldo’s Goal: The captain converted a penalty to level the score after Ivan Perišić gave Croatia an early lead.
Squad Solidarity: Throughout the 2026 tournament, members of the Portugal team have worn wristbands as a recurring sign of remembrance for the late forward.
Anfield Tribute: Liverpool Football Club—where Jota played professionally—unveiled a permanent memorial for the two brothers at Anfield on July 2, 2026.
Core Insight: The tribute underscores a persistent emotional weight within the squad during the World Cup, framing the professional victory through the lens of personal loss and legacy.
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Background of the Incident
Diogo Jota (28) and his brother André Silva (25) were killed in a vehicle collision on July 3, 2025, while traveling through western Spain. At the time of his passing, Jota had earned 49 caps for Portugal, tallying 14 goals. While he contributed to the team’s qualification for the 2026 tournament, he did not live to participate in the final competition. His parents have been present at the tournament to receive tributes from the football community, including projections of his image at stadiums.
The match in Toronto served as an inflection point for the team, merging the advancement to the final 16 with a public acknowledgement of a teammate’s absence.
