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The Independent
03-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
‘One of our own': How grieving Portugal remembered ‘eternal' Diogo Jota at Euro 2025
From the darkness, Portugal were faced with an impossible task: to bring some light into the world after the heartbreaking tragedy of losing one of their own. The death of Diogo Jota, killed in a car crash with his brother Andre Silva in the early hours of Thursday morning, had shaken the Portugal team when they woke up on the morning of their opening match of Euro 2025 against Spain. Afterwards, a 5-0 defeat to the world champions barely scratches the surface in the face of such a loss. 'Today is a sad day,' the Portugal head coach Francisco Neto said. 'To lose two lives, so young, of course it is hard. We are thinking of the family.' For Neto, and for many players in the Portugal team, this felt personal too. Neto had previously worked with Jota when in charge of Portugal's Under-19s, and they had stayed in touch as he went on to make 49 appearances for Portugal's senior team and star in the Premier League for Liverpool. In turn, Jota followed their results and kept track of the progress of the Navegadoras. 'Diogo, when we talked, he always knew the results,' Neto remembered with a smile. Jota's support of the women's team was a matter of pride for him. 'This is the culture we have in Portugal, the culture we are building,' he said. In the hours before kick-off against Spain, almost every Portugal player posted a broken heart emoji or message on Instagram. In forward Jessica Silva's tribute to Jota, she called him 'one of our own'. At the end of their 5-0 defeat, some of Portugal's players went into their stands behind the far goal and emerged with a banner. 'Thank you for everything Diogo Jota,' it read. There is a chance that only a few of Portugal's players had crossed paths with Jota, but it was clear the warmth and humility that has been spoken about by his team-mates and coaches shone through to them as well. "Diogo wasn't just a star,' Silva continued. 'It was the good, the faithful, the attentive, the simple ... of those who don't need noise to mark their presence! Football has gone poorer ... and so are we. You will never be forgotten." The shock of Jota's death reinforces the idea that life, like a match, a major tournament and a football career, can be fragile and fleeting. And the moments where life can feel all the more precious, where you want to hold the most important people a little closer, those are the times that can also put football into some perspective, while bringing others together. The story of an emotional night in Bern was in one part the sense of grief and mourning, but there was also the irrepressible noise of the Portugal fans and the manner in which they bounced and sang, as if determined to embrace what they had. It began in poignant silence to remember the brothers, broken only by a beautifully solemn ripple of applause that worked its way around the whole stadium. The Portugal fans in green and red then chanted Jota's name, with a strip of supporters holding up letters spelling out "Rest in peace, Diogo Jota". Another read: 'You took the name of Portugal beyond borders, now it's our turn to raise your name.' One simply stated: 'Eternal Diogo Jota'. It took less than two minutes for Spain to score, as Esther Gonzalez controlled a long pass with her shoulder and flicked her finish into the net to set the tone for a dominant night. Portugal were second best to Spain throughout, just as, one may suspect, many teams at Euro 2025 will be. The world champions put on an impressive, professional opening performance, lit up by Alexia Putellas. Injured on the eve of the Euros three years ago, Putellas is playing as if she is desperate to make up for lost time. She scored Spain's third and was named player of the match, with Gonzalez scoring twice, the 18-year-old Vicky Lopez adding one and Cristina Martin-Prieto finding the fifth in stoppage time. They played at a level that Portugal could not match. 'We were not able to put pressure on Spain,' Neto admitted. 'We know this was a very strong team.' But they were not dealing with what Portugal faced. And still, even as Portugal trailed in the 88th minute and with hope long gone, their supporters held up scarves and defiantly sang the national anthem. If it looked a little bit like a rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone', there was a significance there as well: that, after all, was the message Portugal wanted to send.
Fox News
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Fan dies after fall during Nations League final between Spain and Portugal
A soccer fan died during the UEFA Nations League final between Spain and Portugal on Sunday after falling from an overhead level onto a media area below. A UEFA official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to give details, confirmed a person sustained fatal injuries from a fall. The incident occurred during the first period of extra time at the Munich stadium, when tension was high between rival players, and fans were becoming more animated. Medical personnel, stewards and police cordoned off the area. Portugal went on to win the game on penalties. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente addressed the incident at the start of his postgame news conference. "Before we begin with the questions, I would like to express my condolences because a fan died in the stands today," de la Fuente said. "My condolences to the family." Reporting by The Associated Press.
Fox News
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Ronaldo on his club future after Portugal win? 'Nothing will change'
It was a night of adulation and another trophy for Cristiano Ronaldo as the Portugal star shed tears after helping his team win the Nations League on Sunday. Ronaldo scored to help Portugal draw level with Spain 2-2 in the final, then watched as his teammates won the penalty shootout 5-3. "I have many titles with my clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal," Ronaldo said. "These are tears. It's mission accomplished and so much joy." The 40-year-old Ronaldo was the first to run out onto the field for the pre-game warmup, sparking a huge roar from the Portugal supporters, including many wearing jerseys emblazoned with his name. His appearance prompted many supporters to pull out their cell phones to record the superstar while they could still see him in action. Ronaldo conceded Saturday that he won't be able to play forever. That was three days after he helped Portugal to its first win over Germany for 25 years, scoring the winner for a 2-1 victory in the Nations League semifinals. On Sunday he was driving the team again, though it was initially a frustrating game as his chances were limited by Spain's hard-working defenders. Nuno Mendes fired Portugal level after Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring for Spain. Then Mikel Oyarzabal put Spain ahead 2-1 at the break. But Ronaldo was in the right place at the right time to fire home the equalizer from Mendes' deflected cross in the 61st, setting off joyous scenes among his faithful fans. It was Ronaldo's 138th goal for Portugal. Nobody has ever scored more for their country. Ronaldo kept trying in what was his record-extending 221st appearance for the country, but eventually had to go off exhausted in the 88th to standing ovations from fans and a hug from coach Roberto Martínez. Ronaldo said he was carrying an injury into the game. "I had already felt it during the warmup, I had been feeling it for some time, but for the national team, if I had to break my leg, I would have broken it," Ronaldo said. "It's for a trophy, I had to play and I gave it my all." It also seems that Ronaldo is set to make his sixth World Cup appearance should Portugal qualify for next year's tournament, to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. "[This win over Spain] gives us confidence to go to the World Cup and see that it's possible to beat any team in the world." Ronaldo also seemingly answered whether will continue playing with Saudi club Al-Nassr. Earlier in June, he posted "this chapter is over" on social media after the club's last Saudi Pro League game of the by reporters on Sunday, he noted that "nothing will change" regarding his club situation and when asked if he would stay with Al-Nassr, he simply replied: "Yes." On Saturday he quelled rumors that he would play at the Club World Cup with a new team despite "quite a few" offers from participating clubs to play there. Whatever club Ronaldo plays for, he will keep striving for Portugal. "I have lived in many countries, I have played for many clubs, but when it's about Portugal, it is always a special feeling," he said. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
