Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears after Portugal’s World Cup win over Croatia as he paid a poignant tribute to tragic team-mate Diogo Jota, a year on from his death aged 28 in a car crash.
After the final whistle, an emotional Cristiano Ronaldo held up and pulled on a Portugal shirt bearing the number 21, a tribute to late team-mate Diogo Jota, the Liverpool star who tragically died in a car crash almost a year to the day from Thursday’s win, on July 3 last year.
‘We knew it before the game. It was a so special moment. We speak today, our group, about that, the coincidence of life, it’s unbelievable,’ Ronaldo said afterwards of the tribute to Jota.
‘I was amazed because the situation of today. It means a lot to us, not only because we won the game, but the also the way we won the game. It was a difficult game, we knew it.’
Liverpool yesterday revealed they have installed a permanent memorial at Anfield to honour Jota and his brother Andre Silva.
Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears on the pitch – wearing a Diogo Jota shirt – at the World Cup
Portugal’s superstar led his team-mates in remembering Jota a year on from his death
Reds supporters paid their respects to him throughout the 2025-26 season, singing his name in the 20th minute of every match, while his No 20 shirt was also retired by the club.
And, on the eve of the first anniversary of his death, Liverpool have unveiled a memorial at their home ground for Jota and his brother.
The poignant tribute is named ‘Forever 20’ in honour of Jota’s shirt number and Liverpool say ‘it celebrates their lives, their bond, and the love and respect felt for them by family, team-mates and supporters across the world’.
At the centre of the memorial is a flowing heart sculpture, which is said to acknowledge Jota’s iconic goal celebration.
Portugal’s players stand around with Ronaldo and his Jota shirt after beating Croatia
Former Liverpool and Portugal forward Jota died in a car crash in Spain on July 3 last year
It also reveals the numbers 20 and 30 when viewed from different angles. Silva, who played for Portuguese side Penafiel at the time of his passing, wore the No 30 shirt.
The lyrics to Jota’s famous chant of ‘he will take us to victory, oh, his name is Diogo’, are featured too.
One side of the memorial reads: ‘In its creation and through the hands of sculptor Emma Rodgers, this memorial has been inspired by the many personal tributes and mementoes left at Anfield by visitors from across the international football community.
‘Some of these tributes are contained within the sculpture and plinth via a unique manufacturing process. It means they are forever embedded.
Liverpool have installed a memorial at Anfield to honour Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva
‘Based on a continuous ‘flowing heart’ design incorporating the brothers’ shirt numbers 20 and 30, the artwork not only conveys the enduring bonds they shared, but also expresses the love and admiration in which they were held by their family, team-mates and fans – with the heart gesture itself reflecting Diogo’s signature goal celebration.
‘This memorial honours the brothers’ lives and celebrates their lasting legacy.’
The memorial is on 97 Avenue at Anfield, the location of the area where thousands of people came to pay tribute in the immediate aftermath of Jota’s passing.
A PlayStation controller also sits on the plinth to mark Jota’s love of gaming and his celebration.
Liverpool added: ‘Every detail has been carefully considered from beginning to end, with the final touches of patina introducing soft hues of Jota’s home flag and the teams he loved throughout his journey.
”Forever 20′ will serve as a permanent symbol of love, unity and remembrance, and a place where everyone can reflect, remember and pay their respects.’
