Ruben Neves has spoken out against Al-Taawoun supporters who chanted the name of his late friend Diogo Jota during a Saudi Pro League match. Footage circulating on social media captured Neves responding to the chants by gesturing towards the sky and then the fans, appearing to convey that 'God is watching.'
Following Al-Hilal's 6-0 victory over Al-Taawoun, Neves briefly addressed the incident. "I hope they don't go to prayer later," he told reporters, drawing a contrast between the fans' behavior and religious teachings.
Neves and Jota shared a close bond, having been best friends and former teammates at Wolves and the Portuguese national team. Jota tragically died at the age of 28 in July 2025 following a car crash in northern Spain. Neves was among the pallbearers at Jota's funeral and has continued to support Jota's widow, Rute Cardoso. In a tribute, Neves revealed a tattoo of him embracing Jota and wore Jota's No. 21 shirt for Portugal.
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The chants have drawn condemnation within Saudi Arabia. Prominent Saudi football broadcaster Waleed Al-Farraj described the actions as lacking "humanity," stating that while chants between rivals like Messi and Ronaldo are one thing, targeting a player with the name of his deceased teammate is "an improper act."
Saudi Arabian international Saleh Abu Al-Shamat also labeled the chants as "wrong and unacceptable." He emphasized that regardless of the rivalry's intensity, "gloating over the dead, engaging in slander, or attacking people's families or the deceased" is unacceptable, especially in an Islamic country that should represent love, tolerance, and respect. Abu Al-Shamat expressed a hope that the league's growing attention could be used to project a positive image of Islam.
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