Cristiano Ronaldo wore Diogo Jota’s No.21 shirt on the pitch and was visibly emotional during Portugal’s World Cup round-of-16 preparations as the national team marked the first anniversary of Jota’s death. Diogo Jota, 28, and his brother André Silva died in a car crash in northwest Spain a year earlier; Jota scored 14 goals in 49 appearances for Portugal. Portugal’s camp integrated tributes throughout the tournament: coach Roberto Martínez named Jota an honorary member of the delegation, Rúben Neves wears Jota’s number 21, and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro gave players bracelets bearing Jota’s name. Jota’s parents attended matches and were seen wiping away tears during an earlier tribute before Portugal’s group-stage game in Houston. The timing of the Croatia match in Toronto meant kickoff passed midnight in Portugal, making the fixture coincide with the anniversary and adding to the emotional weight for teammates and officials.
