‘Coincidence of Life’ Says Ronaldo After Jota Tribute a Year From Death

Toronto: Cristiano Ronaldo said it was “a coincidence in life” that Portugal’s World Cup last-16 victory over Croatia on Thursday came almost a year after the death of his late teammate Diogo Jota.

Ronaldo and his teammates posed with Jota’s number 21 jersey after Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 and qualified for the last 16.

“The coincidence of life, it’s incredible,” Ronaldo said. “We knew that before the game. It was a very special moment. Today we talk about it as a group, about the coincidences of life. It’s incredible.”

Ronaldo also wore the number 21 jersey for an interview after the match.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said that the victory had a special meaning.

“This is a very happy day for the Portuguese fans and because of the meaning of the game we have progressed to the next stage, the round of 16. In a year where we honor Diogo Jota.”

Jota and his brother Andre Silva died when their car crashed while the Liverpool player was passing through Spain to attend pre-season training in England on July 3 last year.

Earlier in the tournament, a black-and-white photo of Jota was shown on the giant screen of the stadium in Houston before Portugal’s first match against the Democratic Republic of Congo.