PHOTOS: Cristiano Ronaldo spotted with girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez on $7.4MILLION luxury yacht in Mallorca after missing Diogo Jota’s funeral
Cristiano Ronaldo has been spotted holidaying with long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez aboard a $7.4million (£5.5million) luxury yacht in Mallorca, just hours after missing the funeral of Portugal teammate Diogo Jota.
The images, obtained by the Daily Mail, show the 40-year-old star looking relaxed in white swim shorts, laughing with Georgina and soaking in the Mediterranean sun from the deck of his lavish vessel, the 88-feet long Azimut Grande.
Rodriguez, 30, donned a turquoise string bikini as the pair enjoyed a summer retreat far removed from the mourning in Portugal.
See more photos below:
Ronaldo's absence in Gondomar raises eyebrows
Ronaldo’s no-show at Jota’s funeral in Gondomar, northern Portugal, has not gone unnoticed.
Pulse Sports earlier reported Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva, 25, lost their lives in a tragic traffic accident just 11 days after Jota had married his childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso.
The couple shared three young children: Dinis, Duarte, and baby Mafalda.
The funeral, held Saturday, drew emotional tributes from football stars across the world.
But Ronaldo’s absence raised eyebrows, especially given his leadership role in the national team.
According to Portuguese outlet Record, Ronaldo chose to stay away out of respect — not wanting his presence to "overshadow the importance of people paying their respects to Jota and his brother."
The paper also reported that the Al-Nassr forward had remained onboard the yacht throughout the weekend.
“Rest in Peace, Diogo”: Ronaldo’s tribute to Jota
While criticised by some for not attending, Ronaldo was one of the first players to pay tribute online. In a moving Instagram post, he wrote:
“It doesn't make sense. We were just together in the national team, and you had just gotten married. To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and 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.”
Ronaldo’s sister, Katia Aveiro, took to social media to defend her brother’s decision, suggesting that Ronaldo was processing the loss in his own way — especially given the trauma surrounding the death of their father, José Dinis Aveiro, in 2005.