Breaking: “Wrexham’s Heart & Soul Ronaldo Opens Up On Diogo Jota’s Tragic Passing: ‘He Was Family, Not Just a Footballer’ Will Leave You in Tears”
In an emotionally charged statement that left fans around the world in tears, global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo — now a senior mentor and ambassador at Wrexham AFC — has spoken out on the tragic death of Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota, who passed away earlier this week in a devastating car crash in Spain.
Ronaldo, who played alongside Jota for the Portuguese national team and was instrumental in his early development, called the young star’s passing “a pain deeper than football could ever describe.”
> “He was more than a teammate. He was like a little brother,” Ronaldo said through tears. “Diogo had fire in his soul and joy in his heart. He was family — not just a footballer.”
Jota, just 28, died alongside his younger brother André in a fiery single-vehicle crash on the A-52 highway. The two were returning from a private family gathering, just days after Diogo’s wedding to longtime partner Rute Cardoso.
Ronaldo, who had just returned to the UK to begin his coaching mentorship role at Wrexham, said he was informed of the tragedy in the early hours of the morning.
> “I didn’t believe it. I called his phone four times. I sent a voice note that’ll never be heard. That breaks me,” he said, his voice cracking.
In an overwhelming gesture of love and legacy, Ronaldo announced a €543.45 million donation to launch the Diogo Jota Legacy Foundation, a global youth football and education initiative focused on underprivileged communities in Portugal, Africa, and South America.
> “This is for every young child who dreamed like Diogo did,” Ronaldo added. “His smile, his passion — they will live forever through this mission.”
Fans have since gathered outside Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground, laying wreaths, lighting candles, and chanting Jota’s name in haunting unison.
Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney also paid tribute, calling Ronaldo’s words “a moment of raw humanity that transcends football.”
As tributes pour in worldwide, Cristiano Ronaldo’s emotional farewell and staggering act of generosity ensure Diogo Jota’s spirit will live on — not just in memory, but in the dreams of generations to come.
