Diogo Jota honored by Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal after World Cup win a year after his death

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo holds a No. 21 jersey in honor of late teammate Diego Jota in a group photo after the team's 2-1 World Cup win over Croatia on Thursday in Toronto. (Mattia Ozbot / Getty Images)Diogo Jota was with Portugal in spirit on the eve of the one-year anniversary of his death.

After the team’s dramatic 2-1 win over Croatia on Thursday in a World Cup knockout game, Portugal’s players posed for a group photo in the middle of the field at Toronto Stadium. Team captain Cristiano Ronaldo stood front and center, looking serious amid many beaming teammates and holding up a red No. 21 jersey in Jota’s honor.

Ronaldo then put on the shirt and became emotional as he slowly walked across the field acknowledging the cheers from the crowd.Cristiano Ronaldo puts on a Diogo Jota shirt to honor his late Portugal teammate ❤️Jota passed away nearly a year ago, on July 3, 2025 🕊️ pic.twitter.

com/7nOWviCRzv— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 3, 2026“It’s a special day, for our Jota, who is up there illuminating us,” Ronaldo later told Portugal’s Sport TV. “We know he’s present with us and it only made sense to win today to honor him in the best way.”Ronaldo posted the team photo on X and wrote: “We won for ourselves, for Diogo, and for Portugal!!!

LET’S GO!!!!”The 41-year-old superstar tied the game at 1-1 on a penalty kick in the 68th minute, and teammate Goncalo Ramos headed in the eventual game-winner during stoppage time More drama was to follow, however, as an apparent Croatian goal disallowed for offside just before the final whistle.Read more:Portugal narrowly defeats Croatia, setting up showdown with SpainAfter the intense finish, Ramos spoke of his late teammate.

“We think about him every day,” Ramos told Fox Sports of Jota. “It’s even more special to win this game in this day. And he gives us strength every day and for every game.”

Jota’s image was shown on the big screen during the playing of Portugal’s national anthem before the game. Cristiano Ronaldo, left, ce