Cristiano Ronaldo explains why he snubbed Diogo Jota's funeral after criticism

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HOME News Politics Royal Showbiz & TV Sport Finance Travel Life & Style Shopping Football Tennis F1 Boxing UFC Cricket Rugby Golf Racing NFL NBA Other Snooker Darts Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up on his decision not to attend Diogo Jota's funeral after the former Liverpool and Portugal forward died in a car accident. Ronaldo has now explained his absence from the funeral.Diogo Jota and Cristiano Ronaldo were Portugal team-mates for six years (Image: Getty Images)In an interview with Piers Morgan, he stated: "People criticised me a lot, I don't care about that because when you feel free you don't have to worry about what the people say.

But one of the things I don't do is, after my father died I have never been to a cemetery again."Second, and you know my reputation, wherever I go it's a circus. I didn't go also because if I go the attention goes to me and I don't want this kind of attention."I saw, and I'm not criticising it, when you go into a sensitive moment, you do interviews to speak about him and speak about football.

People can continue to criticise me, but I felt good with my decision."Despite Ronaldo's absence from Jota's funeral, he offered a heartfelt tribute to the former Liverpool star and recounted the devastating moment he learnt of his passing.Diogo Jota died in July (Image: Getty Images)"I was with Geo (Georgina Rodriguez) alone," the 40-year-old Ronaldo said. He was on his way to Liverpool with his brother." Read next Invalid emailWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you.