‘Wherever I go is a circus’ — Ronaldo defends decision to skip Jota’s funeral for holiday

Cristiano Ronaldo has finally addressed the criticism surrounding his absence from the funeral of Portugal teammate Diogo Jota, explaining that his decision was driven by deep personal reasons and respect for the grieving family rather than indifference.

The 40-year-old forward, speaking to Piers Morgan, said he wanted to avoid turning the emotional farewell into a “circus” due to his celebrity presence while honouring a personal vow never to enter a cemetery again after his father’s death.

In his interview, Ronaldo revealed that public criticism does not bother him when his conscience is clear.

The ex-Real Madrid star explained that he has not stepped into a cemetery since losing his father, José Dinis Aveiro, two decades ago, saying, “After my father died, I’ve never been in a cemetery again.”

He also acknowledged that his fame tends to draw overwhelming media attention wherever he goes, which he feared would detract from the solemnity of Jota’s funeral.

“Wherever I go is a circus,” Ronaldo said, adding, “I didn’t want the attention to shift from Diogo’s family. I do things behind the scenes.”

Ronaldo shared that he privately reached out to Jota’s family to offer support and later attended a special memorial ceremony in September alongside the Portugal national team, officials, and Jota’s loved ones.

Reflecting on the tragedy, Ronaldo admitted that he “cried a lot” upon hearing the news of Jota’s death, calling him “a quiet guy and a very good person.”

He described the loss as devastating for the country and his teammates, adding that Jota’s “aura” is still felt whenever the national team gathers.

Despite not attending the funeral, Ronaldo’s tribute and presence at later commemorations underscored his enduring respect for his fallen teammate.