Ronaldo in tears wearing No. 21 as Portugal honour Jota with epic win vs Croatia
Cristiano Ronaldo wore Diogo Jota's No. 21 shirt and left the pitch in tears after Portugal's dramatic 2-1 win over Croatia on Thursday, as the national team paid an emotional tribute to their late teammate on the first anniversary of his death.
Cristiano Ronaldo fought back tears after Portugal's dramatic 2-1 win over Croatia in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 on Thursday as the five-time Ballon d'Or winner led an emotional tribute to the late Diogo Jota, wearing the No. 21 shirt in memory of his former teammate.
The tribute came on the first anniversary of Jota's death. The Liverpool forward and his brother, Andre Silva, were killed in a car accident in Spain on July 3, 2025, just 11 days after Jota married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso.
Portugal produced a stirring comeback to book their place in the Round of 16, but the final whistle belonged to Jota.
Ronaldo, who converted a second-half penalty to spark Portugal's fightback, left the pitch in tears after embracing teammates. Wearing Jota's No. 21 shirt, he acknowledged the travelling supporters as Portugal marked the occasion with a tribute to one of the country's most cherished footballers.
Portugal vs Croatia, FIFA World Cup 2026: HIGHLIGHTS
Croatia looked set to pull off a famous victory after Ivan Perisic fired them ahead in the 53rd minute. Portugal drew level in the 68th when Ronaldo calmly converted from the spot after a VAR review awarded a penalty.
With the match heading towards extra time, substitute Goncalo Ramos headed home Rafael Leao's cross in the fourth minute of stoppage time to complete Portugal's comeback. Croatia thought they had forced extra time moments later through Josko Gvardiol, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside after another VAR intervention.
The victory set up a heavyweight Round of 16 meeting with Spain at Dallas Stadium on Monday.
Jota's absence has loomed over Portugal's World Cup campaign. He had become one of the national team's most reliable forwards, scoring 14 goals in 49 appearances, and would have been expected to feature prominently at the tournament.
A month before his death, Jota celebrated Portugal's UEFA Nations League triumph over Spain, writing on social media: "With you by our side, everything is possible. Thank you, Portugal!"
His journey from Gondomar to Pacos de Ferreira, before spells at Porto, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool, made him one of Portugal's most admired success stories. Unlike many of the country's leading players, Jota did not come through the academies of Benfica, Sporting or Porto, forging his own route to the top.
A year on, Portugal continue to carry his memory. Thursday's victory over Croatia secured their place in the last 16 stages, but it also became a night of remembrance, with Ronaldo's emotional tribute capturing the mood of a team still mourning a teammate whose influence extends far beyond the pitch.
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Cristiano Ronaldo fought back tears after Portugal's dramatic 2-1 win over Croatia in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 on Thursday as the five-time Ballon d'Or winner led an emotional tribute to the late Diogo Jota, wearing the No. 21 shirt in memory of his former teammate.
The tribute came on the first anniversary of Jota's death. The Liverpool forward and his brother, Andre Silva, were killed in a car accident in Spain on July 3, 2025, just 11 days after Jota married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso.
Portugal produced a stirring comeback to book their place in the Round of 16, but the final whistle belonged to Jota.
Ronaldo, who converted a second-half penalty to spark Portugal's fightback, left the pitch in tears after embracing teammates. Wearing Jota's No. 21 shirt, he acknowledged the travelling supporters as Portugal marked the occasion with a tribute to one of the country's most cherished footballers.
Portugal vs Croatia, FIFA World Cup 2026: HIGHLIGHTS
Croatia looked set to pull off a famous victory after Ivan Perisic fired them ahead in the 53rd minute. Portugal drew level in the 68th when Ronaldo calmly converted from the spot after a VAR review awarded a penalty.
With the match heading towards extra time, substitute Goncalo Ramos headed home Rafael Leao's cross in the fourth minute of stoppage time to complete Portugal's comeback. Croatia thought they had forced extra time moments later through Josko Gvardiol, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside after another VAR intervention.
The victory set up a heavyweight Round of 16 meeting with Spain at Dallas Stadium on Monday.
Jota's absence has loomed over Portugal's World Cup campaign. He had become one of the national team's most reliable forwards, scoring 14 goals in 49 appearances, and would have been expected to feature prominently at the tournament.
A month before his death, Jota celebrated Portugal's UEFA Nations League triumph over Spain, writing on social media: "With you by our side, everything is possible. Thank you, Portugal!"
His journey from Gondomar to Pacos de Ferreira, before spells at Porto, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool, made him one of Portugal's most admired success stories. Unlike many of the country's leading players, Jota did not come through the academies of Benfica, Sporting or Porto, forging his own route to the top.
A year on, Portugal continue to carry his memory. Thursday's victory over Croatia secured their place in the last 16 stages, but it also became a night of remembrance, with Ronaldo's emotional tribute capturing the mood of a team still mourning a teammate whose influence extends far beyond the pitch.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
