The Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo clarified the reasons that led him to miss the funeral of his late former teammate Diogo Jota, denying the criticisms directed at him.

Ronaldo revealed a deep psychological factor, stating that he has not entered any cemetery since his father's death, which is a personal rule he adheres to.

The leader of Al-Nassr Saudi Arabia added a second reason related to avoiding the spotlight, indicating that he did not want the tragic event to turn into a media "circus" that would draw all the attention away from focusing on the deceased's family.

Ronaldo emphasized that his decision not to attend was motivated by a desire to respect family privacy and to provide a calm atmosphere for the ceremony.

He confirmed that he was content to offer support and condolences to Jota's family in his own private and discreet way, away from the cameras, noting that he feels comfortable with his decision, which took everyone's feelings into consideration.