Tribute to a Fallen Teammate
The Portugal national team had Diogo Jota on their minds as they secured a dramatic 2-1 win over Croatia in the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday.
In a poignant moment, star player Cristiano Ronaldo donned Jota's No. 21 Portugal jersey after the final whistle, paying tribute to his former teammate on the eve of the one-year anniversary of his death.
"Unbelievable. We knew it before the game. It was a so special moment," Ronaldo told FOX Sports' Katie Shanahan. "We speak today, our group, about that. The coincidence of life, it's unbelievable. I was amazed because the situations of today, it means a lot to us. Not only because we won the game, but also the way."
Ronaldo also took to Instagram to salute Jota, posting an image of himself wearing Jota's jersey alongside his Portugal teammates. "We won for us, Diogo and Portugal!!! LETS GOOOOO!!!!" Ronaldo wrote in the post.
Before the match, a tribute to Jota was displayed on the screens at BMO Field in Toronto during the Portuguese national anthem, serving as a reminder of the impact he had on the team.
Jota's legacy continues to be felt, as he was included in Portugal's World Cup roster as a "plus one forever," a gesture that reflects the high regard in which he was held by his teammates and coaches.
"The final list includes 27 names plus one," Portugal coach Roberto Martínez said in May. "To lose Diogo Jota was an unforgettable moment and a very difficult moment. But the next day it was a responsibility for all of us to fight for Diogo Jota's dream and for the example that he was in our national team. The spirit, the strength, the example of Diogo Jota, the plus one. He will be the plus one forever."
The match itself was a thrilling encounter, with Ronaldo scoring his first goal in the knockout stage of the World Cup to help Portugal equalize against Croatia. The winning goal was scored by forward Gonçalo Ramos in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
"It was a difficult game," Ronaldo added in his comments to Shanahan. "We knew that Croatia is a fantastic team. First half, we dominated. Second half, after the goal, we get a little bit of panic. But this is football. But after my goal offsides, people started to believe. I asked the fans to help us and after the penalty, I think it was a little bit better for us. We created a few chances and I think, at the end of the day, we deserve to win the match."
