Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva were laid to rest on Saturday in their hometown of Gondomar, Portugal, in a funeral attended by many notable footballers from...

Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva were laid to rest on Saturday in their hometown of Gondomar, Portugal, in a funeral attended by many notable footballers from Liverpool and the Portuguese national team. India Today  reports that Liverpool teammates such as Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, along with Portugal internationals including Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, João Cancelo, Ruben Neves, and Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot, paid their respects. Lionel Messi was also present, showing solidarity in the wake of the tragedy. He was present at the service alongside Liverpool teammates and other footballers, offering a heartfelt and emotional tribute that resonated deeply with those mourning the tragedy. Messi's presence was noted as a symbol of football unity and compassion beyond football rivalries.

However, Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was a conspicuous absentee. Despite publicly expressing his condolences, Ronaldo chose not to attend the funeral reportedly to avoid causing a media circus that could overshadow the solemn occasion. At the time, he was on holiday in Mallorca with his family. His absence has sparked criticism and disappointment among fans and commentators, who expected the national team leader to be present for the final farewell.

Ronaldo maintained private contact with Jota’s family, offering support, but the decision not to attend remains a a subject of heated debate in the football community and in Portugal.