""We won the Nations League and Diogo Jota was part of that success," Martinez said in a news conference on Friday. "He's a strength for us, a source of motivation because he wanted to win the World Cup. We have a responsibility to fight for the Portuguese people, as always, but we have a responsibility for Diogo, and that's very special.""
""Portugal honoured Jota in a ceremony held on Tuesday, which was attended by all the squad, including captain Cristiano Ronaldo. Jota's wife, Rute Cardoso, and his parents were at the ceremony and were presented with a special medal while bronze-framed jerseys engraved with Jota's name and his No. 21 were unveiled in the federation's headquarters. "We all mourn differently," Martinez said. "It was incredible and very emotional. It was a very emotional, difficult, but beautiful.""
Portugal faces Armenia in its first World Cup qualifying match since the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva in a car crash on July 3 in Spain. Diogo Jota scored 14 goals in 49 appearances for Portugal and contributed to UEFA Nations League victories in 2019 and 2025. The squad treats Jota's memory as a source of motivation and a special responsibility to pursue success for the Portuguese people. The federation held a ceremony presenting Jota's wife and parents with a medal and unveiled bronze-framed jerseys engraved with his name and No. 21. Supporters will observe a minute of applause in the 21st minute of the game.
Read at ESPN.com
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