Top 5 Notable Absentees at Diogo Jota’s Funeral: Reasons and Reactions

The football world was left in shock after the tragic deaths of Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva in a car crash in Spain on July 3, 2025. Their joint funeral in Gondomar, Portugal, drew hundreds of mourners, including family, friends, and football stars like Virgil van Dijk and Bruno Fernandes.

However, several high-profile figures were noticeably absent, sparking discussions among fans and media. This article explores the top five notable absentees at Diogo Jota’s funeral, their possible reasons for not attending, and the public’s reactions, based on recent reports and social media sentiment. Let’s dive into this sensitive topic with respect and clarity.

Why Some Liverpool and Portugal Stars Missed the Funeral

The funeral, held on July 5, 2025, at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, was a somber event attended by many of Jota’s teammates from Liverpool and the Portugal national team. However, the absence of key figures like Mohamed Salah, Luis Díaz, Alisson Becker, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Cristiano Ronaldo raised eyebrows.

According to a 2025 BBC report, the football community mourned deeply, but logistical, personal, and media-related factors contributed to some absences. Below, we break down the top five absentees and the context behind their decisions.

5. Mohamed Salah: A Surprising No-Show

Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s star forward, was absent from the funeral, which stunned fans given his close professional ties with Jota. Salah, who posted an emotional tribute on X on July 4, 2025, stating he was “lost for words” and “frightened” to return to Liverpool without Jota, reportedly canceled his vacation to return to England but did not attend the funeral in Portugal.

• Possible Reason: Sources suggest Salah’s absence may have been due to logistical challenges or a personal decision to grieve privately. His X post indicates deep emotional impact, suggesting he may have chosen to avoid public attention during this sensitive time.
• Fan Reaction: Fans on X expressed mixed feelings, with some calling his absence “disappointing” while others defended his right to mourn privately. One user noted, “True friendship is shown in life, not just at funerals.”

Here is a Link to a post on “How Footballers Cope with Grief” for insights on private mourning.

4. Luis Díaz: Controversy Over Insensitive Timing

Luis Díaz, Liverpool’s Colombian winger, faced significant backlash for missing the funeral. Reports indicate that on the day of the funeral, Díaz was spotted at an event in Colombia, appearing in photos with social media influencers, which many fans deemed insensitive. This sparked heated debates, especially given Jota’s past support for Díaz, such as holding up a shirt with Díaz’s name in 2023 after his father’s kidnapping.

• Possible Reason: The long distance from South America to Portugal was cited as a potential factor. However, Díaz later attended a memorial mass in Gondomar on July 10, 2025, where he was visibly emotional, suggesting travel constraints may have initially prevented his attendance.
• Fan Reaction: Social media was harsh, with posts like, “He disrespected his teammate and the club,” gaining traction. Díaz’s emotional appearance at the memorial later softened some criticism, but trust with fans remains strained.

3. Alisson Becker: Logistical Challenges

Alisson Becker, Liverpool’s goalkeeper, was another notable absentee. Like Díaz, his absence was attributed to the long distance from Brazil to Portugal, as he was in South America at the time. Alisson later attended the seventh-day memorial mass in Gondomar, showing his commitment to honoring Jota despite initial constraints.

• Possible Reason: Alisson himself stated he was “an ocean away in Brazil” and relied on his teammates to represent him at the funeral. Travel logistics likely played a significant role.
• Fan Reaction: Fans were more forgiving of Alisson, citing his presence at the memorial as evidence of his respect. One X post noted, “Alisson made it when he could—distance is real.”

2. Dominik Szoboszlai: Quiet Absence

Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool’s Hungarian midfielder, also missed the funeral, with little information available on his whereabouts. His absence was noted alongside other Liverpool players, but it received less public scrutiny compared to Díaz or Salah.

• Possible Reason: No official reason was provided, but Szoboszlai may have been dealing with personal commitments or travel issues. The lack of public posts from him about Jota’s passing suggests a private approach to grief.
• Fan Reaction: Fans on X mentioned Szoboszlai’s absence in lists of absentees but focused more on high-profile names like Díaz. His low-key presence may have spared him significant backlash..

1. Cristiano Ronaldo: A Deliberate Choice

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal’s captain and Jota’s national teammate, topped the list of absentees, sparking widespread discussion. Despite their close friendship and shared history in the Portugal national team, Ronaldo did not attend the funeral or wake, reportedly to avoid turning the event into a “media circus.”

• Possible Reason: Ronaldo’s sister, Katia Aveiro, explained on social media that his global fame makes public appearances challenging, even for personal events like funerals. She noted that Ronaldo visited the church secretly after the service to pay respects privately, a gesture confirmed by Portuguese outlet A Bola. Reports also suggest he was in Mallorca during the funeral, possibly to maintain a low profile.
• Fan Reaction: Opinions were divided. Some, like sports commentator Luis Cristovao, called his absence “inexplicable,” arguing that as Portugal’s captain, he had a responsibility to attend. Others, including X user Flavia, supported his decision, saying he avoided overshadowing the family’s grief.

Context of the Funeral: A Community in Mourning

The funeral saw a massive turnout, with Liverpool players like Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, and Alexis Mac Allister carrying floral tributes shaped like Jota’s and Silva’s jersey numbers (20 and 30). Portugal stars like Rúben Neves and Bernardo Silva were pallbearers, and the event was attended by figures like Portugal’s coach Roberto Martínez and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. The global football community showed solidarity, with tributes at Anfield and moments of silence at the Club World Cup.

Case Study: A similar situation occurred in 2018 when Leicester City’s Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha died in a helicopter crash. Several players couldn’t attend the funeral due to international commitments, highlighting how logistics often impact such events.

Expert Quote: “Footballers are human, and grief is complex. Absences don’t always reflect a lack of care,” says Dr. Emma Kavanagh, a sports psychologist specializing in team dynamics.

FAQ

Why didn’t Mohamed Salah attend Diogo Jota’s funeral?

Salah’s absence may have been due to logistical issues or a personal choice to grieve privately, as suggested by his emotional X post on July 4, 2025.

Why was Luis Díaz criticized for missing the funeral?

Díaz was seen at an event in Colombia on the funeral day, which fans found insensitive. He later attended a memorial mass, citing travel issues.

Why couldn’t Alisson Becker attend the funeral?

Alisson was in Brazil, and the distance to Portugal likely prevented his attendance. He later attended a memorial mass.

What was Dominik Szoboszlai’s reason for missing the funeral?

No official reason was provided, but personal commitments or travel issues are possible explanations.

Why did Cristiano Ronaldo miss Diogo Jota’s funeral?

Ronaldo avoided the funeral to prevent media attention from overshadowing the event, but he paid respects privately afterward.

Summary

The absence of Mohamed Salah, Luis Díaz, Alisson Becker, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Cristiano Ronaldo at Diogo Jota’s funeral on July 5, 2025, sparked varied reactions. While logistical challenges and personal choices explain most absences, Díaz’s actions drew significant criticism, though his later attendance at a memorial softened some backlash.

Ronaldo’s decision to avoid a media frenzy was widely debated but also respected by some. The football community’s unity was evident in the massive turnout, reminding us of the human side of these stars. Share your thoughts on this sensitive topic and join our community for more football insights!

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