Portugal remembers: Ronaldo and Co. carry Jota's name on their wrists

Portugal's national team will pay tribute to the memory of Diogo Jota throughout the 2026 World Cup, with Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates already seen wearing special commemorative wristbands during training sessions in Miami.

The gesture is aimed at honouring the former Liverpool and Portugal forward, who tragically lost his life in a car accident last year. The wristbands will remain part of Portugal’s World Cup campaign, beginning with their Group K opener against DR Congo next week.

The idea came after a meeting between the squad and Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro before the team travelled to North America. Montenegro presented the players with the wristbands as a personal gift, leaving it entirely up to them whether they wished to wear them.

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha later explained the meaning behind the tribute and revealed that the bands were specially designed to comply with FIFA regulations.

"When we met with the Prime Minister, he gave us these wristbands," Vitinha said.

"They were created in a way that allows us to wear them during matches. They include the names of all the players, as well as Diogo Jota’s name. He told us it was our decision whether to wear them and when to use them. We appreciated the gesture and decided to keep them with us."