Cristiano Ronaldo wore the No. 21 shirt of the late Diogo Jota during Portugal's World Cup match against Croatia on Thursday.
The gesture marks a significant moment of grief and remembrance for the Portuguese national team. By wearing the jersey of his former teammate, Ronaldo highlighted the lasting impact of Jota's loss on the squad during one of football's most prestigious tournaments.
Portugal secured a 2-1 [1] victory over Croatia in the match. The tribute coincided with the first anniversary of Jota's death, which occurred on July 3, 2026 [2]. Jota was a teammate of Ronaldo on the Portugal national team and played for Liverpool in the English Premier League.
Reports indicate that Ronaldo was emotional after the match, breaking down in tears while wearing the No. 21 shirt [3]. The act served as a public commemoration of Jota's life and career, allowing the team to celebrate his memory while competing on the world stage.
This tribute follows a year of mourning for the football community since Jota died one year [4] ago. The decision to wear the specific number associated with Jota during a high-stakes World Cup fixture underscores the deep personal and professional bond between the players.
Portugal's victory over Croatia keeps the team in contention in the tournament, though the emotional weight of the anniversary remained a central theme of the day's events. The team used the platform of the World Cup to ensure Jota's contributions to the sport were recognized by a global audience.
“Cristiano Ronaldo wore the No. 21 shirt of the late Diogo Jota during Portugal's World Cup match.”
The use of a teammate's jersey in a World Cup setting is a rare symbolic gesture that transcends the sport. By integrating this tribute into a competitive match, Ronaldo and the Portuguese squad have elevated Jota's memory to a global stage, signaling that the emotional recovery of the team remains a priority alongside their athletic performance.
