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.

Liverpool players report for pre-season training following the funeral in Portugal of Diogo Jota	Alisson and Diaz attend mass for Diogo Jota as tributes continue in Portugal	Mohamed Salah leads downcast Liverpool players returning to work for pre-season training, after 'frightened' star missed Diogo Jota's funeral

Ronaldo faced some flak for the decision, but his sister robustly defended him in a string of Instagram stories.

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 Lui?s Filipe Scolari, etc.

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.

Katia Aveiro alongside brother Cristiano Ronaldo.

We were just together in the national team, and you had just gotten married