The death of Diogo Jota, star of Liverpool, has left a deep wound in the sport. The Portuguese forward lost his life alongside his brother in a tragic accident in Spain — an event that has deeply affected the football community, especially his national team teammates.

In a recent interview with British journalist Piers Morgan, Cristiano Ronaldo spoke for the first time about how he received the news. Visibly emotional, the Al Nassr striker confessed: “I didn’t believe it when I got the messages. I cried a lot. It was a very difficult moment for everyone — for the country, for his family, for his friends, and for his teammates.”

The Portuguese superstar, who shared the locker room with Jota in the Portugal National Team, added a sentence that touched fans worldwide: “It was devastating. A very, very sad piece of news.” The loss of the young forward — who was in the prime of his career — has left a void in European football and especially within the Portuguese squad.

Cristiano Talks About the World Cup and Retirement

During the same interview, Cristiano Ronaldo also discussed personal and professional topics. On the subject of winning the World Cup, he was blunt: “Winning a World Cup doesn’t define who the greatest player in history is. It’s just seven games. Do you think that’s fair?” Even so, he admitted that his dream is to marry Georgina Rodríguez after the 2026 World Cup — hopefully, he said, “with the trophy in my hands.”

The Portuguese legend also surprised fans by admitting that his retirement is near. “Yes, it will be soon. It’ll be hard — I’ll probably cry — but I’ll be ready,” said the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star. “Nothing compares to the adrenaline of scoring a goal, but everything has a beginning and an end.”

Cristiano, who recently became the first footballer to join the “billionaire club,” said he enjoys a peaceful life in Saudi Arabia and, despite his immense success, still considers himself a humble person.

The interview, filmed at his home and filled with emotion, revealed a more human side of the Portuguese icon — a man who, behind the records and trophies, also faces grief, nostalgia, and the inevitable approach of the end of his career.

The memory of Diogo Jota remains alive in the hearts of his teammates, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s words reflect the pain and respect of an entire generation of Portuguese football.