Cristiano Ronaldo Addresses Absence from Diogo Jota's Funeral
Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo was notably absent at the funeral of his late Portugal teammate Diogo Jota earlier this year. Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, tragically died in a car accident in July, deeply affecting the football community.
Ronaldo Responds to Criticism
Ronaldo has defended his choice to skip the funeral, expressing that his conscience is clear despite criticism. In a candid interview with Piers Morgan, the 40-year-old explained his reasons for not attending.
“Two things; people criticise me a lot. I don’t care about that. When your conscience is good and free, you don’t have to worry about what people say."
Personal Reasons Behind the Decision
- Ronaldo revealed he has not been to a cemetery since his father passed away.
- He avoided attending Jota's funeral to prevent drawing excessive public attention.
- He emphasized the circus-like atmosphere that surrounds his public appearances.
“After my father died, I have never been to a cemetery again. When you know me and you know my reputation? Wherever I go, it is a circus. I don’t go out because, if I go, the attention goes to me. I don’t want this sort of attention."
Ronaldo on Media and Public Scrutiny
Ronaldo expressed his discomfort with media seeking interviews during sensitive moments and highlighted how overwhelming public attention can be.
“I don’t like it when you go to a sensitive moment to do interviews, to speak about him, to speak about football. This shows how a circus is life, sometimes. If you want to be a part of this world, good luck, but I will be a part of another side. People can continue to criticise."
Author's summary: Cristiano Ronaldo explains his absence at Diogo Jota's funeral, citing personal grief and the overwhelming attention his presence would attract, affirming he has a clear conscience amid criticism.