Cristiano Ronaldo did not attend the funeral of Portugal teammate Diogo Jota.
The Liverpool forward and his brother Andre were killed in a car crash in northwest Spain in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The two were laid to rest in their hometown of Gondomar on Saturday in a private funeral mass.
Jota’s wife Rute Cardoso, who he wed just two weeks ago, and their three children were joined by a delegation from Liverpool with Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson carrying wreaths into the church for their teammate.
A host of his international teammates were also in attendance including Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva along with national team boss Roberto Martinez.
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Ruben Neves was playing for Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup in the United States on Friday but made the trip to Portugal to honour his close friend, among those helping carry the coffin into the church.
Ronaldo, captain of the Portugal national team, was not present, however.
The Al-Nassr striker was this week pictured enjoying his summer holidays on the Spanish island of Majorca, with local press it is now a favourite vacation spot for the 39-year-old.
His absence on Saturday has sparked discontent in Portugal with journalist Antonio Ribeiro Cristovao commenting: ‘He is the captain of the Portugal squad. Many expected he would attend.
‘Diogo Jota was part of the team. Maybe there are some reasons we don’t know.
‘If he doesn’t attend, he has to explain the reason. He has that responsibility. He is the captain.’
The Mirror meanwhile report Ronaldo opted not to attend over fears his presence could disrupt the sombre proceedings in the small town.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star made a heartwarming tribute to Jota in the hours that followed his shock death on Thursday.
‘It doesn’t make sense. We were just together in the national team, and you had just gotten married,’ Ronaldo said.
‘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.’
