Cristiano Ronaldo was overcome with emotion, weeping as he wore a Portugal shirt bearing the name and number of his late teammate Diogo Jota after Portugal secured a World Cup victory. The poignant moment occurred nearly a year to the day since Jota, a Liverpool star, died at the age of 28 in a car crash.
After the final whistle of Portugal's World Cup match against Croatia, Ronaldo was seen holding up and pulling on a shirt dedicated to Jota. "We knew it before the game. It was a so special moment. We speak today, our group, about that, the coincidence of life, it's unbelievable," Ronaldo stated after the match, reflecting on the tribute. "I was amazed because the situation of today. It means a lot to us, not only because we won the game, but the also the way we won the game. It was a difficult game, we knew it."
Jota, who previously played for Liverpool and Portugal, tragically died in a car crash in Spain on July 3 of the previous year. His passing deeply affected the football community.
In remembrance of Jota and his brother Andre Silva, Liverpool recently unveiled a permanent memorial at their home ground, Anfield. The tribute, named 'Forever 20' after Jota's shirt number, aims to celebrate their lives and the bond they shared, as well as the affection felt for them by family, teammates, and supporters worldwide.
The memorial features a flowing heart sculpture, inspired by Jota's signature goal celebration. When viewed from different angles, the sculpture displays the numbers 20 and 30, representing the shirt numbers of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva, respectively. The lyrics of Jota's well-known chant are also incorporated into the memorial's design.
Sculptor Emma Rodgers drew inspiration from personal tributes left at Anfield by visitors from around the globe for the memorial's creation. Some of these tributes have been integrated into the sculpture itself. The memorial is located at 97 Avenue at Anfield, a site where many gathered to pay their respects following Jota's death.
A PlayStation controller is also placed on the plinth, acknowledging Jota's passion for gaming and his distinctive goal celebration. Liverpool stated that 'Forever 20' will serve as an enduring symbol of love, unity, and remembrance, offering a space for reflection and respect.