Cristiano Ronaldo calls for lifetime bans for supporters he says mocked late teammate Diogo Jota during a Saudi Pro League match involving Al-Hilal midfielder Rúben Neves. The comments follow social-media footage and match reports from Saturday’s game between Al-Taawoun and Al-Hilal in Buraydah.
Multiple outlets say some home fans chanted “Jota” during the fixture as Neves was on the pitch, and Neves appeared to react to the chants. Neves is described as a close friend of Jota and as having carried Jota’s coffin at his funeral after the Portugal forward’s death in a car crash in July 2024.
Ronaldo, who now plays for Al Nassr and previously shared the Portugal set-up with Jota, publicly urged Saudi Pro League authorities to punish the behaviour. The reports consistently attribute the “lifetime ban” demand to Ronaldo, who frames the chants as unacceptable and says stadium access should be denied to repeat offenders. Neves also gave comments after the match, including wishing that the fans do not continue to target him.
