Cristiano Ronaldo’s touching gesture to Diogo Jota family after skipping funeral | Football | Sport

Cristiano Ronaldo gifted a commemorative watch to the family of Liverpool star Diogo Jota in honour of Portugal’s Nations League victory. The legendary winger gifted each of his international team-mates with a personalised timepiece, including one bearing Jota’s name and number for his family.

Portugal managed to come from behind twice against Spain in the Nations League final, with Jota making an appearance off the bench. Goals from Nuno Mendes and Ronaldo led to a penalty shootout, where Portugal triumphed by scoring all five penalties. The watches were commissioned by Ronaldo from his friend Jacob Arabo and were delivered in time for their first World Cup qualifying match against Armenia.

This generous gesture was revealed by Portuguese outlet SIC. While the exact cost of these personalised watches remains undisclosed, it is estimated that they could be worth several hundred thousand euros.

Watchmaker JacobandCo announced the Epic X UEFA Nations League 2025 Champions custom edition for the national team, producing 35 pieces featuring ‘a skeleton dial, bespoke design, and the Portuguese crest’.

They described the watch as being ‘as exceptional as the champions themselves’.

Ronaldo faced criticism for not attending Jota’s funeral after the Liverpool star and his brother tragically died in a car crash. However, several Portugal stars, including Ruben Neves and Bruno Fernandes, were present at the ceremony.

In a recent interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo explained his absence.

«Two things; people criticise me a lot,» he said. «I don’t care about that. When your conscience is good and free, you don’t have to worry about what people say.

«But one of the things I don’t do? 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.

«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.

«I am not a part of that. 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. I felt good with my decision.»