Cristiano Ronaldo's sister, Katia Aveiro, has defended the soccer superstar after he was criticized for not attending Diogo Jota's funeral.

Jota, alongside his brother Andre Silva, tragically passed away in a car accident on Thursday. A joint funeral ceremony took place in Gondomar, on the outskirts of Porto, on Saturday.

While many of Jota's teammates were present at the ceremony, Ronaldo opted not to attend, concerned that his high-profile status might detract from the solemnity of the occasion.

Ronaldo faced some flak for the decision, but his sister robustly defended him in a string of Instagram stories. She wrote: "When my father died, in addition to the pain of loss we had to deal with a flood of cameras and curious onlookers at the cemetery and everywhere we went.

"And attention was not what it is today in terms of access... At no time were we (the children) able to leave the chapel; it was only possible at the time of the burial, such was the commotion.

"At the funeral, there were presidents, coaches of the national team at the time, such as Luís Filipe Scolari, etc. I don't remember seeing any of them. And they certainly greeted me. The pain blinded me.

"About pain/family and real support... You will never know what it means until you go through it. If someone sends me a message criticizing anything my brother does, I will block it (completely ignore it), that is, they will only do it once.

"It's getting tiring. The fanaticism. The criticism for nothing, I repeat nothing... Sick society... We all have families.

Katia Aveiro alongside brother Cristiano Ronaldo (Image: Instagram)

"It is absurdly shameful to watch TV channels/commentators/social networks emphasising an absence (wise) rather than respectfully honouring the pain of a mutilated family destroyed by the loss of two brothers. I am even ashamed to watch. Regrettable.

"And so the world goes... Society and opinion. Today they are worthless. They themselves have become bottomless pits. I feel sorry... And war is also like that. Believe me. Human evil is also a war. And every day we have to fight against it. And so it goes."

Last week, Ronaldo shared a tribute to Jota on Instagram, writing: "It doesn't make sense. We were just together in the national team, and you had just gotten married. To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world.

"I know you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you."

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Trent Alexander-Arnold paid tribute to Diogo Jota after Real Madrid's 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund at the Club World Cup.

The former Liverpool right-back spent five years as Jota's teammate, most recently ending the 2024-25 season by winning the Premier League alongside the late Portugal star.

The funeral of Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, took place in Gondomar, on the outskirts of Porto, on Saturday, two days on from their untimely deaths in a car crash.

Arne Slot and a host of Liverpool players attended the funeral, as did a number of Jota's former teammates, but Alexander-Arnold's involvement at the Club World Cup meant he did not have the chance to.

Speaking after Madrid's win against Dortmund, Alexander-Arnold told DAZN: "I want to my send condolences and my thoughts and prayers to a close friend of mine.

"I had five years sharing a dressing room with him and it goes without saying that he will never be forgotten by anyone. He will live long in our memories.

"But at the end of the day, I still had a job to do today. I had to go out there and perform for the team, help us win the game, no matter how difficult it was and how difficult it is.

"As hard as it was, I had to push it to the back of my mind and focus on my job and my role. I tried to do as best as I could. It was difficult, I'm not going to lie about that, but I have done it in honour of my close friend

"I'm sure he would have wanted me to do that and I'm sure we would have had a laugh and a joke about my assist as well, so yes, it was in some way in memory of him. He was there with me in some way, I'm sure."

Alexander-Arnold and Jota were teammates for five years (Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))

Alexander-Arnold said that the response to Jota's death from the global soccer community has been uplifting during an extraordinarily tough period.

"It's been very difficult for everyone that knew him, not just me and his teammates, friends or family, but the footballing world," Alexander-Arnold added. "Some things are bigger than the game.

"It's been difficult, but also very heart-warming to see the footballing world unite and come together to show their love and support for his family and his brother for what must be mind-blowingly hard times for his family.

"I've been around his family, his brother, his amazing wife and amazing three children, so it's truly heart-breaking. It's something you would never expect. He was a very close friend, somebody who lit up a room."

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FC Penafiel, the second-tier Portuguese team that Andre Silva, the brother of Liverpool star Diogo Jota, represented, has sent a message of thanks for all the support it has received in the last couple of days.

Jota and Silva passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning following a tragic car accident. The pair were laid to rest with a funeral service on Saturday, with Portugal in a period of mourning.

Liverpool players past and present were in attendance at the ceremony, while hundreds turned out on the streets of Gondomar, the town in which the pair grew up, to pay their respects. Tributes were also paid at Anfield, where the grass outside the Main Stand was filled with scarves, shirts and messages of condolence.

"Futebol Clube de Penafiel SAD deeply thanks all the messages of support, condolences and feelings that have reached us in various forms over the last few days," a post on social media read.

"At a particularly difficult time for our entire Penafiel family, it is with great gratitude that we acknowledge each word, gesture, and demonstration of affection. Thank you!"

Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson offered floral tributes to Jota and Silva ahead of the funeral. Head coach Arne Slot, sporting director Richard Hughes, and FSG's CEO of football Michael Edwards, were also present, alongside other Liverpool figures.

Wreaths in shape of football jerseys are displayed at the entrance of the cemetery after the funeral ceremony of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva (Image: (MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images))

Current Liverpool players, including Alexis Mac Allister, Joe Gomez, and Ryan Gravenberch, were present, but Alisson Becker was unable to make it in time but posted an emotional tribute.

Former Reds stars Caoimhin Kelleher, James Milner and Fabinho were also among those to go. Some were at Friday's wake alongside Manchester City duo Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias, who were Portuguese colleagues of Jota. Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes was also pictured.

Meanwhile, back on Merseyside, Everton manager David Moyes made a visit to Anfield. He left a floral arrangement accompanied by a message that read: "With heartfelt sympathy, from David Moyes and everyone at Everton Football Club."

"Everyone at Everton is deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva," Everton said on Thursday. "Our thoughts are with their family and friends at this sad time."

On Friday, Beto and Youssef Chermiti, Everton's Portuguese players, laid a tribute to Jota and Silva.

Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson had done likewise earlier in the day.

"The last time we spoke, I congratulated Diogo on winning the Nations League and wished him luck for his forthcoming wedding," Arne Slot said in a statement on Thursday. "In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family, which makes it all the more heartbreaking that it should end like this.

"When I first came to the club, one of the first songs I got to know was the one that our fans sing for Diogo. I had not worked with him previously but I knew straight away that if the Liverpool supporters, who have seen so many great players over the years, had such a unique chant for Diogo, he must have special qualities."

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Pedro Neto has delivered a heartfelt tribute to Diogo Jota following the tragic passing of the Liverpool forward and his brother, Andre Silva, in a car crash on Thursday.

Local police have reported that the fatal accident occurred after a tire burst while overtaking. The bodies of both brothers were transported back to their hometown in northern Portugal before a wake took place on Friday, leading up to the funeral service at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar on Saturday.

On Saturday morning, there was a significant presence from Liverpool at the ceremony, a testament to Jota's impact, with several of his teammates traveling to Portugal to pay their respects.

Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo managed to fly in from America to Jota's birthplace just hours after Al-Hilal were knocked out of the Club World Cup by Fluminense.

But Neto played in Chelsea’s quarter-final match in the same tournament, which kicked off around eight hours before the funeral service began.

The 25-year-old winger put in an 85-minute shift in Chelsea's 2-1 victory against Palmeiras, securing their place in the semifinals against Fluminense.

Pedro Neto is at the Club World Cup with Chelsea (Image: Photo by Carl Recine - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Prior to the game, Neto shared his own tribute, stepping onto the pitch wearing a Chelsea shirt emblazoned with the names "Diogo" and "Andre." He and Enzo Fernandez displayed this touching gesture during the minute of silence.

Hours after the funeral, Neto took to Instagram to express his feelings, writing: "My sweet friend Jota. What a man, what a husband, what a father, what a partner and what a friend..

"Your endearing laugh that made us all laugh non-stop. I learned a lot from you and as you often said, 'There are no fantasies in the world'.

"You are great and you will always be and that is how we will remember you forever. We will never forget you, watch over us."

Bernardo Silva has also paid tribute to Jota (Image: Getty)

Jota and Neto were not only club teammates but also shared the pitch on the international stage. During their stint at Molineux, they played together 14 times, adding another seven appearances for the Portuguese national team.

"The last time we spoke, I congratulated Diogo on winning the Nations League and wished him luck for his forthcoming wedding," Liverpool head coach Arne Slot said in a statement on Thursday. "In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family, which makes it all the more heartbreaking that it should end like this.

"When I first came to the club, one of the first songs I got to know was the one that our fans sing for Diogo. I had not worked with him previously but I knew straight away that if the Liverpool supporters, who have seen so many great players over the years, had such a unique chant for Diogo, he must have special qualities."

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PSG forward Ousmane Dembele paid a classy tribute to Diogo Jota during his side's Club World Cup victory over Bayern Munich today, emulating his celebration after scoring the goal that confirmed the European Champions' place in the semi-finals.

Dembele made it 2-0 late on in the game and recreated Jota's iconic PlayStation action, where he pretended to be playing on a game console. The Liverpool number 20 was known as a keen gamer and produced the celebration after scoring some important goals for the Reds, including in the dramatic 4-3 win over Spurs in April 2023.

Dembele's gesture drew praise from Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate on social media, who noted the nod to Jota. Several representatives from the Reds were present for today's funeral when Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, were laid to rest.

PSG lost two players to red cards in the second half but still won the game to progress. Center-back Willian Pacho was shown a straight red card for a high tackle on Leon Goretzka before Lucas Hernandez was adjudged to have elbowed Raphael Guerreiro.

Desire Doue opened the scoring when the teams both had 11 players on the field. Pacho and Hernandez were then sent off by Anthony Taylor, leaving PSG with nine men.

It was at that point that Dembele scored, with PSG catching Bayern Munich on the counter-attack. The Bundesliga side was pushing forward in hope of finding an equalizer, with Harry Kane having a goal ruled out for offside.

Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo managed to fly in from America to attend Jota's funeral service. It came just hours after their team, Al-Hilal, were knocked out of the Club World Cup by Fluminense, with both players starting.

Chelsea forward Pedro Neto played in its quarter-final match in the same tournament, which kicked off around eight hours before the funeral service began. And he later posted an emotional tribute.

"My sweet friend Jota. What a man, what a husband, what a father, what a partner and what a friend," he wrote.

"Your endearing laugh that made us all laugh non-stop. I learned a lot from you and as you often said, 'There are no fantasies in the world'.

Ibrahima Konate posted a message to international teammate Ousmane Dembele after he paid homage to Diogo Jota. (Image: ibrahimakonate/Instagram)

"You are great and you will always be and that is how we will remember you forever. We will never forget you, watch over us."

"You could see it in his first session — that tenacity and the will to win was like no other," Conor Coady, another former teammate of Jota at Wolves, told the BBC.

"He was the heart and soul of the dressing room. He had a quiet way of going about himself. But you knew you could go to him about anything. For me, as a captain, it was an honor and a dream to play with him."

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Cristiano Ronaldo has told the family of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva that he will always be available to them after missing the pair's funeral earlier today.

Ronaldo opted against attending the ceremony in Gondomar, Portugal, because of his status as a global star. He decided that it could be more harmful than beneficial for him to be there as he would draw excessive attention at a time when the family is grieving.

But the Portuguese outlet A Bola has reported that Ronaldo has offered his assurances to Jota and Silva's family that "he will always be present". Ronaldo, who played alongside Jota for the national team, is said to have spoken to his parents and wife, Rute.

"It doesn't make sense," Ronaldo wrote on social media in a tribute yesterday. "We were just together in the national team, and you had just gotten married.

"To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you."

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and left-back Andy Robertson held floral tributes to Jota and Silva at the funeral. They were joined by several current and former Reds players.

(Image: Getty Images)

Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo, Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa were all present. So too was head coach Arne Slot. Caoimhin Kelleher, Jordan Henderson, and James Milner, all formerly of Liverpool, were also there to pay their respects.

"Diogo Jota was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his teammates and opponents," the Portuguese soccer association said.

"He had a contagious joy and was a reference point in his own community.

"On behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation and myself, I would like to offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Diogo and Andre as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the respective clubs of the players.

(Image: Getty Images)

"We have lost two champions. Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day."

The president of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and Prime Minister Luis Montenegro both attended the funeral. Just a few weeks ago, Jota played as Portugal beat Spain on penalties to win the UEFA Nations League for the second time.

"The last time we spoke, I congratulated Diogo on winning the Nations League and wished him luck for his forthcoming wedding," Slot said in a statement released on Thursday. "In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family, which makes it all the more heartbreaking that it should end like this."

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