Cristiano Ronaldo Missed Diogo Jota’s Funeral to Avoid Media Disruption, Says Sister Katia Aveiro
By SpringNewsNG Media Limited – July 7, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from the funeral of late Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota has sparked widespread speculation and criticism. But according to his sister, Katia Aveiro, the Portugal captain deliberately stayed away to avoid turning the emotional ceremony into a media circus.
Jota, who tragically died alongside his brother André Silva in a car crash in Zamora, Spain, was laid to rest on Saturday at the Igreja Matriz church in Gondomar, Portugal. While many high-profile figures attended the solemn event, Ronaldo was notably absent, prompting backlash from fans and media in his home country.
In a series of emotional Instagram stories, Katia Aveiro responded to critics and explained that Ronaldo’s decision was guided by respect—not negligence.
“When my father died [in 2005], we had to deal with a flood of cameras and curious onlookers at the cemetery,” Aveiro recalled. “And attention wasn’t what it is today. At no time were we able to leave the chapel until the moment of burial. The commotion was overwhelming.”
Aveiro noted that the focus should remain on mourning the tragic loss of Diogo and his brother, rather than Ronaldo’s absence.
“It’s absurdly shameful to watch TV channels, commentators, and social media emphasise my brother’s absence rather than respectfully honouring the pain of a destroyed family,” she wrote. “I’m even ashamed to watch. It’s regrettable.”
She added that if anyone sends her negative messages about Ronaldo, she blocks them immediately.
“This obsession with criticising everything he does is fanatical. It’s tiring,” she added.
Aveiro also reminded followers that real support and empathy are often invisible during moments of grief, saying, “You will never know what it means until you go through it.”
While Ronaldo has yet to make a public statement, his sister’s comments have added important context to the ongoing debate over his absence at the funeral.
The tragic deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother have shaken the football world, prompting emotional tributes from fellow players, fans, and clubs across Europe.
