Cristiano Ronaldo wore the No. 21 jersey of the late Diogo Jota during a World Cup match against Croatia in the U.S. [1].
The gesture served as a tribute to Jota on the anniversary of his death, highlighting the emotional toll on the Portuguese national team during the tournament [2].
Ronaldo cried following Portugal's victory over Croatia. The match took place in late June 2026, as part of the FIFA World Cup [1, 2]. The captain's decision to wear Jota's specific jersey number [1] was intended to honor the memory of the striker.
"I’m very emotional right now," Ronaldo said [2].
The win allowed Portugal to advance in the tournament. While reports differ on the exact stage, sources indicate the victory occurred during the Round of 32 [2] or the last-16 [1].
"Diogo is up there illuminating us," Ronaldo said [1].
The emotional display occurred at the venue in the U.S., where the captain struggled to maintain his composure after the final whistle [2]. The tribute was widely captured by cameras as Ronaldo paid homage to his former teammate.
“"Diogo is up there illuminating us."”
This event underscores the deep psychological impact of athlete bereavement on national teams. By wearing a deceased teammate's number during a high-stakes World Cup match, Ronaldo utilized a global platform to transform a sporting victory into a collective act of mourning and remembrance for the Portuguese squad.
