The real reason Cristiano Ronaldo was absent from Diogo Jota's funeral

Extra.ie​

a day ago

Cristiano Ronaldo was notably absent from the funeral of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva on Saturday morning, as friends, family and teammates alike gathered to pay their respects.
Diogo, who played as a winger for the club and for the Portugal national team, died in a tragic car crash alongside his brother André Silva in the Zamora region of Spain. They were only 28 and 25 years old, respectively.
Teammates past and present, as well as other members of the football world, gathered to say their final goodbye's on Friday, with one familiar face failing to make an appearance. Cristiano Ronaldo was notably absent from the funeral of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva on Saturday morning, as friends, family and teammates alike gathered to pay their respects. Pic: PA
A solemn procession of Liverpool players and Portuguese national team-mates included the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson as well as Portugal stars Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Ruben Neves
Portugal's captain Ronaldo however was not among the crowd of mourners, with the real reason for his absence now being revealed.
According to reports from the Mirror, Ronaldo decided to keep away from the event, as he believed his high profile might overshadow the sombre affair. View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano)
The star instead took to social media to share a touching tribute to the late sportsman.
He wrote: 'It doesn't make sense. We were just together in the national team, and you had just gotten married.
'To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.'
Diogo just married his long term partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he shared three children, 10 days before the tragedy — with her arriving at the church early on Friday morning.
It is understood that the Lamborghini that the pair were driving in suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking a car on the A52 highway in Zamora, which then caught fire. The pair were en route to Santander to catch a ferry back to the UK, after Mr Jota was advised against flying to the UK following minor surgery.