Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has responded to criticism for not attending the funeral of his close friend and teammate, Diogo Jota.
On July 3rd, Liverpool striker Diogo Jota, along with his brother André Silva, died in a road accident in Spain. This tragedy shocked not only Portuguese football but the entire public.
Despite this, Ronaldo did not attend the farewell ceremony for his late teammate. This decision was strongly criticized by many fans and journalists. But the legend itself spoke about this and clarified the reality that caused the criticism.
"There are two reasons. I understand the critics who spoke about me, but it doesn't affect me. Because I know myself. Even when my father died, I didn't go to the cemetery. For me, this is a personal matter. Such places have a heavy impact on me," Ronaldo said.
According to him, his participation in the funeral would have made the situation even more sensational.
"Wherever I go, my every move is captured on camera. This creates not only a tragedy, but also a show. I don't want to be part of the show. At this time, people should think about the deceased, not about me," he said in an interview with the BBC.
Ronaldo emphasized that he wasn't tired of criticism and only made the decision he felt genuine.
"I thought about Jota's family. I didn't want the show to interfere in their pain. I respect them, and it was more important to me. If I had gone there, the whole world would have turned its camera there. And this would be a circus, not love," he added.
Ronaldo recalled that similar situations in his life had occurred before: "Even when I lost my father, I didn't go to his grave. This is my method. Everyone has their own way of expressing their mourning. I've seen so much that sometimes silence is the best answer."
Portuguese media reported that Cristiano Ronaldo personally contacted Jota's family and expressed his deepest condolences.
Thus, Ronaldo openly stated his decision not only to journalists but also to the public - in his opinion, the important thing is not the show in front of you, but the sincere feeling and respect of a person.
There are different opinions among fans: some understand Ronaldo, while others consider his absence wrong. However, in this situation, the football star's point is clear - he wanted to express genuine respect, not on stage.
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