Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal’s squad rallied around former Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho after his father passed away during the World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo comforted and offered his condolences to former Chelsea star Ricardo Carvalho following the death of his father. The ex-Blues defender, now serving as Roberto Martinez’s assistant with Portugal, received the devastating news at the team’s World Cup base in Miami and will travel back to his homeland for the funeral.
Carvalho was still in attendance at training on Monday, where Portugal’s squad observed a moment of silence in honour of their colleague’s father, Manuel Ribeiro de Carvalho, who passed away aged 69. In a deeply moving gesture, the squad gathered in a circle, linked arms and bowed their heads in a heartfelt tribute to Carvalho.
Ronaldo embraced his former team-mate, who earned 89 caps between 2003 and 2016, as did several of his other colleagues. The touching scenes unfolded at the start of Portugal’s final training session in Miami.
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“The Portuguese Football Federation expresses its deepest sorrow for the passing of Manuel Ribeiro de Carvalho, father of Ricardo Carvalho, assistant coach of the National Team, at the age of 69,” read a statement from the Portuguese football federation.
“In this moment of profound sadness, the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, the Board of Directors and all FPF employees extend their deepest condolences to Ricardo Carvalho and his entire family, sharing in their grief and wishing them strength to face this irreparable loss.”
“We’re with you. Strength, Ricardo Carvalho,” Portugal’s national team said on social media, alongside two photographs of the squad paying their respects.
Prior to a press conference with Joao Felix previewing the last-32 fixture against Croatia, a national team adviser once again acknowledged the passing of Carvalho’s father. “I just want to offer my and João’s condolences to Ricardo Carvalho, whose father passed away,” Francisco Trigo de Abreu said.
“He remains with us. We wanted to express our sadness because he was a great colleague and a great friend.”
In the wake of that press conference, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) confirmed that Carvalho would return to Portugal to be present at his father’s funeral.
Portugal’s preparations press on ahead of their knockout tie against Croatia. The two European nations meet in Toronto on Thursday, with Carvalho’s participation remaining in doubt.
The 48-year-old has been a member of Martinez’s backroom staff since 2023, having previously served under Andre Villas-Boas at Marseille.
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