Mourning of Neves: 'Jota is always there'

Rúben Neves reveals that he still communicates daily with his deceased friend Diogo Jota via an app group, exactly one year after his fatal traffic accident. The Portuguese midfielder, known for his time at Wolverhampton Wanderers and FC Porto, has developed a ritual that blurs the line between life and death. He wears the shirt number 21 during the World Cup as a powerful tribute to Jota, a number that symbolizes their unbreakable friendship.

Neves says he feels his friend's presence during every important match, which adds to the emotional charge of his performances on the field and tests his mental resilience. The bond between the two, formed during their career and time in the national selection, remains unbroken by these digital conversations despite Jota's tragic death. “We are always together,” said Neves, who continues to send the messages in the group app as a way to keep the connection alive.