Ronaldo's sister explains why he was absent from Jota's funeral

Katia Aveiro, sister of Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, ended the controversy surrounding her brother's absence from the funeral of the late player Diogo Jota, which sparked a wave of criticism across the media and social media. The absence of the Portuguese national team captain from the funeral ceremony surprised many, opening the door to accusations of neglect and lack of solidarity, a sentiment that did not go unnoticed by his family members. Katia responded via her Instagram account, saying: "When our father died, the pain was not only in the loss, but also in the chaos of cameras and intruders... We couldn't even leave with dignity," referring to the media pressure that can accompany such events. She stressed that her brother's absence was not due to neglect, but rather out of respect for the privacy of the deceased's family, adding: "Anyone who attacks Cristiano or questions his feelings, I will not waste my time responding to them... Our society lacks empathy and awareness." Katia concluded her remarks by sharply criticizing the media and digital platforms, arguing that focusing on Cristiano's absence at this difficult time ignores the magnitude of the tragedy that has befallen the Jota family, who lost two of their children in the tragic accident.