Cristiano Ronaldo has paid an emotional tribute to his former team-mate Diogo Jota after scoring for Portugal in a FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying match 5-0 victory away to Armenia.
The qualifier was Portugal’s first game since the tragic death of Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a car accident n Spain on July 3.
Liverpool striker Jota made 49 appearances for Portugal after playing his debut game in 2019 and scored 14 times.
He played alongside Ronaldo on 32 occasions for Portugal, with the pair combining for seven goals. They were both part of the Portugal squad that won the Nations League in June less than a month before Jota’s death.
After Joao Felix had given Portugal the lead against Armenia in the 10th minute, Ronaldo proceeded to score eleven minutes later.
Joao Cancelo then made it 3-0 to Portugal, with Ronaldo later adding another goal before Joao Felix also got his second of the game.
Cancelo performed Jota’s trademark PlayStation celebration.
Ronaldo had been criticised after missing Jota’s funeral, which took place in Gondomar, Portugal, in July.
