Cristiano Ronaldo says Portugal’s pre-match tribute to late teammate Diogo Jota feels like “a coincidence of life” because it takes place nearly one year after Jota’s death. Both reports describe Ronaldo saying the squad discussed Jota before Portugal’s match against Croatia, before the team marked the occasion during the game. Following Portugal’s 2-1 win over Croatia on Thursday, which secures their place in the World Cup last 16, the players are reported to have posed with Jota’s number 21 jersey as part of the moment of remembrance. Ronaldo characterized the timing as remarkable and said the team’s acknowledgment of Jota was shared. The two outlets align on the core details: Ronaldo’s comments about the closeness in timing to Jota’s passing, the presence of Jota’s jersey number 21 in the tribute, and the fact that the match result against Croatia sends Portugal into the last-16 stage.