Ronaldo calls for lifetime bans after ‘Jota’ chants aimed at Neves

Cristiano Ronaldo said on Sunday (September 13, 2026) that fans who appeared to make chants referencing former ​teammate Diogo Jota at Ruben Neves during a Saudi Pro League ‌match should be banned from football stadiums for ​life.

The chants occurred on Saturday (September 12, 2026) during a fixture ⁠between Al-Taawoun and Neves' side Al-Hilal in Buraidah, Saudi Arabia.

Jota passed away on July 3, 2025 , in a car crash in Zamora, ‌northwestern Spain, along with his brother Andre Silva. A close friend of Jota, Neves was a ‌pallbearer at his funeral .

Footage filmed from the stands during ‌the ⁠match and circulated on social media appeared to ⁠show supporters chanting 'Jota'.

The shouts attracted the attention of Neves, who pointed to his eye and then up to the sky in response.

Passing through ​the mixed zone after the ‌game, Neves commented, "I hope they don't go to pray afterwards."