Cristiano Ronaldo's sister has launched a fierce defense of her brother after he came under fire to miss the funeral of Portugal Team-Mate Diogo Jota.
The Al-Nassr star was noticeably absent when friends, family and teammates gathered in Gondomar on Saturday to say goodbye to Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who both died in a car accident in Spain on Thursday morning.
While Portugal Internationals, including Bernardo Silva, Diogo Dalot, Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves were present, Ronaldo chose to stay away and allegedly told Jota's wife Rute Cardoso and parents that he did not want to risk the funeral with his presence.
The 40-year-old has had to deal with criticism in Portugal for his decision, in which some experts describe his absence as 'inexplicable' and fans who call it 'inadmissible' for the captain of the national team not to break his vacation to express respect.
But his sister Katia Aveiro hit back in a series of emotional Instagram messages, insisting that the decision of her brother was wise and those who 'criticized' for nothing.
“When my father died. In addition to the pain of the loss, we had to deal with a stream of cameras and curious spectators at the cemetery and everywhere we went, “she wrote.
'And attention was not what it is today in terms of access … We (the children) were never able to leave the chapel; It was only possible at the time of the funeral, the commotion was.
'At the funeral there were then presidents, coaches of the national team, such as Luis Filipe Scolari, etc. I can't remember seeing one of them. And they certainly greet me. The pain blinded me. '
Aveiro added: 'About pain/family and real support … you will never know what it means until you go through it. If someone sends me a message that criticizes something that my brother does, I will block it (ignore it completely), that is, they will only do it once.
“It's getting tiring. The fanaticism. The criticism for nothing, I repeat nothing … sick society … we all have families. It is absurdly embarrassing to watch TV channels/commentators/social networks that emphasize an absence (wise) instead of respectfully honoring the pain of a mutilated family that has been destroyed by the loss of two brothers. I'm even ashamed of looking. Regrettable.
'And so the world goes … society and opinion. These days they are worthless. They have become bottomless pits themselves. I am sorry … and war is like that too. Believe me. Human evil is also a war. And every day we have to fight against it. And that's how it goes. '
Ronaldo had previously shared an emotional tribute on Instagram after the news of the death of Jota and Silva and said: 'It is not logical. We were just together in the national team and you had just been married. To your family, your wife and your children, I send my participation and I wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you. '
The captain of Portugal, who was reportedly on vacation in Mallorca at the time of the funeral, still has to tackle his absence publicly, although reports claim that he personally spoke with Jota's family to express his participation and ensure them of his constant support.
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