Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his anger after supporters allegedly mocked his late friend and Portugal team-mate Diogo Jota during a Saudi Pro League match. The Portuguese superstar called for firm action against the spectators involved, arguing that football has limits that should never be crossed, particularly when it comes to mocking someone who has died.
The incident occurred during the match between Al-Hilal and Al-Taawoun, when a section of the crowd directed taunts at Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves. Neves, who was involved in the match, reacted to the chants from the stands before later making a brief comment about the incident.
Ronaldo subsequently shared a video of the episode on his Instagram account and urged the league authorities to take action. He argued that spectators responsible for such behaviour should face serious punishment and suggested that those involved should never be allowed back into a stadium.
His reaction carries particular weight because of his relationship with both Neves and Jota. Neves is Ronaldo’s international team-mate with Portugal, while Jota also spent years alongside the veteran forward in the national side. The three players shared the dressing room at international level, making the incident especially personal for Ronaldo and Neves.
Neves reacts to the chants
The reaction from Neves was also visible during the match. After hearing the chants from the stands, he initially responded with sarcastic applause. He then pointed towards the sky before gesturing towards his eyes, appearing to send a message back to those responsible.
Neves offered only a brief response when he was approached by journalists after the match. Referring to the behaviour of the spectators, he said he hoped they would not go to pray after what they had done. He did not elaborate further on the incident.
The episode has drawn attention because of the circumstances surrounding Jota’s death. The former Liverpool and Portugal forward died in a road accident in Zamora, Spain, in July 2025. He was only 28.
Jota’s younger brother, André Silva, also died in the same accident. The deaths were a major shock to Portuguese football and came at a particularly young age for both brothers.
Jota had established himself as an important forward for both Liverpool and Portugal. His performances at club and international level had earned him a prominent place in Portuguese football, while his relationships with fellow national-team players made his sudden death deeply personal for those who had shared the dressing room with him.
For Ronaldo, the incident was therefore about more than the rivalry and emotion that can accompany a football match. His response focused on the treatment of a deceased player and friend, as well as the standards expected from supporters inside a stadium.
The Portuguese captain’s call for those responsible to be kept away from football grounds underlines his view that passion and rivalry should not become an excuse for personal abuse. Whether the Saudi Pro League takes disciplinary action over the incident remains to be seen, but Ronaldo’s public intervention has placed the behaviour firmly under the spotlight.
