‘Always With Us’ – Ronaldo and Portugal Stars Honor Diogo Jota in Emotional Win

In a poignant display of remembrance and resilience, Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portugal national team delivered an emotional victory against Armenia on Saturday, their first match since the tragic passing of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota. The game was steeped in tributes, with players honoring their fallen teammate throughout the 3-0 World Cup qualifier win.

A Heartfelt Return to the Pitch

The football world was rocked in July by the news of Jota’s death in a car accident, which also claimed the life of his brother, André Silva. Stepping onto the pitch for the first time since this devastating loss, the Portugal squad carried a collective weight of grief, transformed into a powerful motivation.

“He’ll always be with us, as was clear today,” Portugal left-back Nuno Tavares affirmed after the match, reflecting the team’s enduring sentiment.

Ronaldo’s Emotional Tribute at the 21st Minute

The game began with an early breakthrough from João Félix in the 10th minute. However, it was Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal in the 21st minute that truly encapsulated the evening’s emotional core. After slotting the ball home, Ronaldo pointed skyward, a poignant gesture in remembrance of Jota, who proudly wore the No. 21 shirt for Portugal.

“We’re all very happy because it shows [Jota] is with us, that he was there, and that moment, Ronaldo’s goal, was made possible,” Tavares shared, highlighting the profound significance of the moment for the team.

Cancelo’s Gamer Pose and Collective Remembrance

The tributes continued as João Cancelo scored Portugal’s third goal. His celebration was a touching nod to Jota’s well-known passion for gaming, with Cancelo sitting on the pitch, mimicking Jota’s famous gamer pose with an imaginary controller in his hands.

Ronaldo’s Record-Chasing Feat

Beyond the emotional resonance, Ronaldo’s performance also etched new milestones into the history books. A stunning strike from range saw him increase his tally in World Cup qualifying to 38 goals, surpassing his career rival Lionel Messi by two. This places Ronaldo alone in second place on the all-time scoring charts for World Cup qualification.

He now stands just one goal shy of matching the legendary Guatemalan striker Carlos Ruiz, who holds the record for the most goals in qualification history. Ronaldo will have the chance to equal or even break this record as early as Tuesday when Portugal travels to Hungary to conclude the international break. Fans will undoubtedly be watching closely, hoping to witness another historic moment from the Portuguese captain.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Fixtures

Portugal’s journey continues with a visit to Hungary next month, following a home fixture against the Republic of Ireland. These upcoming matches will be crucial for their World Cup qualification campaign, and the team will undoubtedly carry the spirit of Diogo Jota with them every step of the way.

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