Ronaldo calls for lifetime stadium ban over Diogo Jota chants aimed at Ruben Neves

Cristiano Ronaldo called for strong action against supporters who targeted Ruben Neves with chants referencing his late Portugal teammate Diogo Jota. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Cristiano Ronaldo called for supporters who chanted the name of the late Diogo Jota at Ruben Neves during a Saudi Pro League match to be banned from stadiums for life.

The incident took place during Al-Hilal’s 6-0 win over Al-Taawoun in Buraidah on Saturday. Videos circulated on social media appeared to show sections of the crowd chanting “Jota” towards Neves.

Jota, Neves’ former Portugal and Wolverhampton Wanderers teammate and close friend, died alongside his brother Andre Silva in a car crash in Spain on July 3, 2025. Neves was also a pallbearer at Jota’s funeral.

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During the match, Neves responded to the chants by pointing towards his eye before looking to the sky. After the game, he said: “I hope they don’t go to pray afterwards.”

Ronaldo later reacted to footage of the incident on Instagram, urging the league to punish those responsible.

“This is no longer football, and there have to be limits,” Ronaldo wrote, adding that such supporters should never be allowed inside a stadium again.

Neves played 75 minutes before being substituted.

Published on Sep 13, 2026

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