Ronaldo dons Diogo Jota's No. 21 shirt after Portugal's 2-1 World Cup win
Synopsis
On the first anniversary of Diogo Jota's death, Cristiano Ronaldo put on his late teammate's No. 21 shirt, in tears, after Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 at the 2026 World Cup in Toronto. The timing — exactly one year to the day — turned a knockout win into a collective act of grief and remembrance that stopped the football world.
Key Takeaways
Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup round of 32 in Toronto on 4 July 2026 .
Cristiano Ronaldo wore the late Diogo Jota's No.
21 Portugal shirt after the final whistle, pointing to the sky in tears.
The match fell exactly one year after Jota and his brother Andre Silva , 25, died in a car accident in western Spain.
Jota represented Portugal 49 times , scoring 14 goals , and won the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025 .
Portugal had previously transferred Jota's No.
21 jersey to his close friend Ruben Neves as a permanent tribute.
Cristiano Ronaldo delivered one of football's most poignant tributes on Friday, 4 July 2026, pulling on the iconic No. 21 Portugal jersey of the late Diogo Jota after Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 in their FIFA World Cup round-of-32 clash in Toronto — exactly one year to the day since Jota and his brother Andre Silva perished in a car accident in western Spain.
Ronaldo, who opened the scoring from the penalty spot, was visibly overcome with emotion at the final whistle, wearing Jota's shirt and pointing to the sky with tears streaming down his face. The moment brought the Toronto stadium to a hush and drew widespread reaction across the football world.
Ronaldo's Words on the Tribute
'We knew it before the game, it was such a special moment,' Ronaldo told Fox. 'We speak today, our group, about the coincidence of life, it's unbelievable. I was amazed because the situation of today means a lot to us, not only because we won the game but also the way.'
Speaking separately to Portugal's Sport TV, Ronaldo added, 'We know he is present with us and it only made sense to win today to honour him in the best way.'
Who Was Diogo Jota
Diogo Jota represented Portugal on 49 occasions, netting 14 international goals. He was a key figure in the squad that claimed the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and again in 2025, when Portugal defeated Spain in the final — a triumph Jota celebrated with his teammates just weeks before his death.
His brother Andre Silva, aged 25 at the time, was also a professional footballer who played for Portuguese second-tier club Penafiel. Both brothers died at the scene after Jota's car suffered a tyre blowout while attempting to overtake another vehicle on a road in western Spain, according to Spanish police. The vehicle went off the road and caught fire.
How Portugal Have Honoured Jota's Legacy
A month after the tragedy, the Portuguese Football Federation retired the No. 21 shirt from active use and transferred it to Jota's close friend and former teammate Ruben Neves, a gesture that underscored the depth of feeling within the squad. Friday's match fell precisely on the first anniversary of the accident, lending the victory an unmistakable emotional weight.
Portugal's Path in the World Cup
The 2-1 win over Croatia advances Portugal into the next round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ronaldo's penalty proved the decisive early contribution, with Portugal holding on despite Croatian pressure to seal the result. The victory was dedicated collectively by the squad to Jota's memory, making the result feel far larger than three points on a bracket.
As Portugal move deeper into the tournament, the shadow — and inspiration — of Jota's legacy is likely to travel with them.
Point of View
Gave it to Jota's friend, and collectively wore it in public on the biggest stage. That is a coherent, sustained act of remembrance, not a one-off gesture. The question going forward is whether this emotional momentum translates into a deeper World Cup run — and whether Ronaldo, now carrying the weight of tribute alongside his own legacy, can sustain the performance level to match the symbolism.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ronaldo wear the No. 21 shirt after Portugal's World Cup win?
Ronaldo wore the No. 21 shirt to honour his late teammate Diogo Jota, whose Portugal squad number it was. The match against Croatia on 4 July 2026 fell exactly one year after Jota and his brother Andre Silva died in a car accident in western Spain.
How did Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva die?
According to Spanish police, Jota's car suffered a tyre blowout while attempting to overtake another vehicle on a road in western Spain on 3 July 2025. The car went off the road and caught fire, and both Jota and his 25-year-old brother Andre Silva died at the scene.
What was Diogo Jota's international record with Portugal?
Diogo Jota earned 49 caps for Portugal and scored 14 international goals. He was part of the squads that won the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and again in 2025, the latter title secured just weeks before his death.
Who now wears the No. 21 jersey for Portugal?
A month after Jota's death, Portugal transferred the No. 21 jersey to Ruben Neves, Jota's close friend and former teammate, as a mark of respect for his memory.
What was the result of Portugal vs Croatia at the 2026 World Cup?
Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 in the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto. Cristiano Ronaldo scored Portugal's opening goal from the penalty spot.
