Why did Ronaldo wear Portugal’s No. 21 jersey?
Why did Cristiano Ronaldo wear 21 no jersey? Live Events Why was the tribute especially emotional? FAQs What was Diogo Jota's jersey number for Portugal?
Why did Cristiano Ronaldo wear 21 no jersey? Live Events Why was the tribute especially emotional? FAQs What was Diogo Jota's jersey number for Portugal? Why did Cristiano Ronaldo wear the No. 21 jersey? How many goals did Diogo Jota score for Portugal? When did Diogo Jota die? What did Ronaldo say about the tribute? as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Addas a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal to an impressive late comeback, defeating Croatia 2-1 to secure their place in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. Ronaldo's emotional celebration after Portugal's dramatic FIFA World Cup victory over Croatia left many fans asking the same question: Why was Ronaldo wearing Portugal’s No. 21 jersey? The answer to this question goes far beyond football.Ronaldo and his teammates paid tribute to former Portugal star Diogo Jota, whose memory remains deeply cherished within the national team.
The moment was especially poignant because the match took place almost exactly one year after Jota and his brother, André Silva, lost their lives in a tragic car accident in Spain.Following the final whistle, Ronaldo put on Jota's iconic No. 21 Portugal jersey and joined his teammates in honoring the late forward. The Portugal captain later explained that the tribute was connected to the significance of the date."We knew it before the game. It was a special moment," Ronaldo said after the match. He described it as a "coincidence of life" that Portugal's knockout-stage victory came nearly one year after Jota's death.Ronaldo also conducted post-match interviews while wearing the No. 21 shirt, underlining how important the tribute was for the squad."We knew it before the game, it was a special moment," Ronaldo told Fox. "We speak today, our group, about the coincidence of life, it's unbelievable. "I was amazed because the situation of today means a lot to us, not only because we won the game but also the way."What is Diogo Jota's jersey number for Portugal?Diogo Jota wore the No. 21 jersey for Portugal.
During his international career, Jota made 49 appearances for the national team and scored 14 goals. The No. 21 shirt became closely associated with the Liverpool forward, who was a key member of Portugal's attacking unit alongside stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo.As a result, the jersey has become a powerful symbol of remembrance for Portuguese players and supporters.The tribute carried extra meaning because the date coincided with the first anniversary of the accident that claimed the lives of Jota and his brother André Silva.The Portuguese squad had reportedly discussed the significance of the occasion before kickoff. After the victory, Ronaldo said the team felt Jota's presence and believed winning was the best possible way to honor him."We know he is present with us and it only made sense to win today to honour him in the best way," Ronaldo said.Television cameras captured Ronaldo looking skyward while standing alongside his teammates, creating one of the most emotional moments of the World Cup so far.Portugal sealed the win deep into stoppage time when Gonçalo Ramos scored in the fourth added minute.
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