The surprising absence of Cristiano Ronaldo from Diogo Jota's funeral sparked numerous comments, but it was his sister, Katia Aveiro, who addressed the criticism with an emotional message on social media. According to her, the Portuguese forward chose not to attend the service out of respect for the grieving family, fearing his presence might overshadow the solemn event.

“My brother didn’t attend out of respect”

Katia took to Instagram to recall her own experience at their father’s funeral, offering a heartfelt reflection on how media attention can overwhelm a mourning family. “When our father passed away, we couldn’t even leave the chapel because of the cameras and onlookers. I can’t imagine what it would be like now with Cristiano’s level of attention,” she wrote.

She emphasized that her brother's absence was a deliberate choice: to avoid turning a private moment of grief into a media spectacle. She also criticized those on TV and social media who called his decision disrespectful: “It’s shameful that people focus more on an absence than on the real pain of a family torn apart by loss.”

Luis Díaz also criticized for not attending

The case of Luis Díaz, Liverpool's Colombian winger, has sparked a different kind of reaction. Currently on vacation in Colombia, Díaz attended a sports event in Barranquilla alongside his brother Roger Díaz, which led to a wave of online backlash. Photos of Díaz smiling with influencers stood in stark contrast to the grief seen at Jota's funeral in Gondomar, Portugal.

Although other players like Mohamed Salah, Alisson Becker, and Dominik Szoboszlai were also absent, media attention focused on Díaz, particularly due to the close bond he shared with Diogo Jota. Many fans recalled the touching moment when the Portuguese forward held up Díaz’s shirt in 2023, in support of his teammate during the kidnapping of his father by the ELN.

In a message posted on Instagram, Díaz expressed his sorrow: “It breaks my heart... there are gestures one never forgets.” Still, the debate around his absence continues to stir strong opinions.

Both situations—Ronaldo’s and Díaz’s—highlight how personal decisions in the face of tragedy can be interpreted in vastly different ways. While some view them as signs of indifference, others understand them as alternative expressions of grief and respect.