Rúben Neves applauded toward the sky. He said nothing else, but that gesture explained everything.
It was Saturday, September 13, 2026, at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Saudi Arabia. While Al Hilal thrashed Al Taawoun 6-0, a section of the home stand began chanting “Jota, Jota, Jota” at Neves. They were not celebrating anyone: they were using the name of Diogo Jota, his friend and former teammate, who died in an accident in Zamora, Spain, in July 2025, to provoke him in the middle of the match.
Cristiano Ronaldo saw it and did not stay silent. He responded on Instagram to a video of the incident with a direct message: he called on the Saudi Pro League to impose severe sanctions, even lifetime ones, on those who sang those chants. “This is no longer football, there have to be limits”, wrote the Al Nassr captain. Saudi footballer Saleh Abu Al-Shamat also spoke out to condemn what happened, calling it unacceptable. Now the decision is in the league’s hands.
