By Emeka Blast 
“I didn’t want my presence to overshadow the grief,” says Ronaldo
Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has explained his absence from the funeral of Diogo Jota, stating that he stayed away out of respect for the mourning community.
Ronaldo, in a statement released by his representatives, said:
“I decided not to attend Jota’s funeral to avoid causing disruption or drawing attention away from the solemn moment. It was a time for family, friends, and fans to grieve peacefully.”
While Ronaldo and Jota shared mutual respect as national teammates, the superstar noted that his presence could have drawn massive media and public attention, which might have disturbed the emotional atmosphere in the town.
He sent his condolences privately to Jota’s family and pledged to honour his memory in other meaningful ways.
