Ronaldo's luxury gifts for his teammates and one about Jota

At a moment when it seems that football has been reduced entirely to results, statistics, and the ruthless race for trophies, Cristiano Ronaldo wanted once again to show that behind his incredible career lies something deeper — a relationship with the team, endless gratitude for the jersey he has worn since his teenage years, and the memory of a tragically deceased teammate. The Portugal national team, which lifted the Nations League trophy in June 2025 after defeating Spain in Munich, is still living in the rhythm of that great success. And its captain, a man who at 40 years old remains the symbol of Portuguese football, decided to mark that moment with a gesture that was met in his homeland with both enthusiasm and deep emotion.

According to Portuguese media, Ronaldo ordered a series of exclusive watches from Jacob & Co., the famous New York company he has collaborated with for years. He gave each member of the national team — players, coaching staff, and medical personnel — a personalized watch engraved with the name and number of each individual. The gifts were handed out during the first World Cup qualifying match, against Armenia, and the atmosphere in the locker room was, as reported by the Portuguese press, like a scene from a movie: silence, disbelief, then applause. Among the 35 models made exclusively for the Portugal national team, there was one that no one expected — a watch engraved with the name of Diogo Jota, the teammate who tragically died in a traffic accident in July 2025. Ronaldo personally requested that this watch be sent to the family of the late footballer.

We saw it coming: Cristiano's World Cup suspension voided

The Portuguese outlet Record described this gesture as something that does not seek cameras, headlines, or PR points.

“These are the kinds of gestures that are not advertised. They show the real Cristiano. Many people have the wrong image of him,” Record wrote. The luxury timepieces were produced in an ultra-rare series: skeleton mechanism, handcrafted design, personalized engravings, the Portuguese national coat of arms on the dial — exclusivity limited to only 35 pieces. Although the price has not been officially disclosed, estimates range between 300,000 and 350,000 euros per watch.

When football meets power: Ronaldo under White House spotlight as Trump praises him

For context, on June 8 in Munich, Portugal won its newest international trophy by defeating Spain on penalties, in a match that marked the return of Portugal’s golden wave and reaffirmed the continuity of a national team that has spent a decade and a half at the top of European football. Ronaldo, as captain, felt that this achievement needed to be marked by something more lasting than a photograph or a medal — a symbol of unity, respect, and remembrance. A leader’s gesture.