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Why Cristiano Ronaldo Was Absent From Diogo Jota’s Funeral

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence at the funeral of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva has sparked headlines across Portugal, but sources close to the Al-Nassr forward have revealed that his decision was made out of respect for the grieving family’s need for privacy.

The emotional funeral service was held on Saturday in Gondomar, the hometown of the late Portugal international and his brother, who both passed away in a tragic incident.

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While many of Jota’s Portugal teammates made the journey to pay their final respects, Ronaldo remained in Mallorca, choosing to grieve away from the public eye.

According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Ronaldo personally reached out to Jota’s partner, Rute Cardoso, and also contacted the Jota family.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Liverpool Star Diogo Jota Is Dead

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The report states that the decision to stay away was mutually understood as “the best option” due to the potential media frenzy his presence could have triggered. It was agreed that his attendance could have drawn “excessive attention” and overshadowed the solemnity of the occasion.

His absence, they noted, was a gesture “meant to show empathy and solidarity without igniting a potential media frenzy that would have been more harmful than beneficial.”

Despite Ronaldo’s absence, several members of the Portugal squad were present. Rúben Neves and João Cancelo travelled from the United States shortly after Al Hilal’s Club World Cup exit.

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Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva and Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot also attended the ceremony held at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar.

READ ALSO: Liverpool, Football World Mourn Diogo Jota As Tributes Pour In

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, although not physically present, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, “Usually, I post things that make sense, but today, nothing makes sense! Once again, an ocean separates me from ‘saying goodbye’ to someone I love! But I know that I am well represented by my club mates! To you, my friend @rutecfcardoso14, just know that you will never walk alone, we will be with you as soon as possible! In a moment like this, all we can do is bow down before the Sovereignty of God, and receive grace and help in this time! I’ll remember Diogo as a great friend, father and husband!”

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Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez was also in attendance and delivered a moving tribute, saying,
Today was a day that we showed we are a very, very large, but close family. We are Portugal, and it was essential for us, Andre Silva and Diogo Jota, that we [were] together.”

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WAFCON Final: Super Falcons Produce Stunning Comeback To Defeat Morocco, Win 10th Title

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Nigeria’s women national team, the Super Falcons, on Saturday night beat Morocco to win the 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations.

The West Africans had to fight back from two goals in the first half to win 3-2 in Rabat.

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The hosts came flying out of the blocks and scored twice through Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy.

But the Falcons came out strongly in the second half and scored through Esther Okoronkwo’s penalty.

READ ALSO: WAFCON Final: Super Falcons Coach, Madugu Gives Reason For Dropping Ex-Liverpool Forward Babajide

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Okoronkwo then turned provider for Folashade Ijamilusi who drew Nigeria level.

Jennifer Echegini then got on the end of a free-kick to score a late winner.

The victory means Nigeria have now won a record-extending 10 WAFCON titles.

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Arsenal Sign Swedish International Viktor Gyokeres

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Arsenal on Saturday announced the signing of Swedish international striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon.

The 27-year-old, who fired Sporting to the Portuguese title last season with 39 goals and netted a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City, is reported to have signed a five-year deal in a transfer worth £55 million (62.9m euros).

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Gyokeres’ transfer, which could end up costing the north London club as much as £64m with performance-related add-ons, takes Arsenal’s close-season spending to the region of £200m.

He becomes Mikel Arteta’s sixth summer signing and follows defender Cristhian Mosquera (£13m), midfielder Martin Zubimendi (£60m), goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5m), midfielder Christian Norgaard (£10m) and forward Noni Madueke (£48.5m) in moving to the Emirates.

READ ALSO:Pre-season: Why I Dropped Timber, Gabriel Magalhães From Arsenal Squad vs AC Milan – Arteta

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Arsenal confirmed the news with a brief post on X which read: “This is where you need to be. Viktor Gyokeres is a Gunner.”

Gyokeres will be expected to meet up with his new team-mates in Arsenal’s ongoing pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong.

The Gunners face Newcastle in the Singapore National Stadium on Sunday ahead of the concluding game of their tour, against Tottenham in Hong Kong on July 31.

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Gyokeres moved to Brighton from Swedish side Brommapojkarna in January 2018, but spent time on loan at St Pauli and then Swansea and Coventry, before making a permanent move to the Sky Blues in July 2021.

READ ALSO:WWE: Real Cause Of Legendary Wrestler, Hulk Hogan’s Death Revealed

After Coventry were beaten on penalties by Luton in the 2023 Championship final at Wembley, Gyokeres completed a £20.5m switch to Sporting. He scored a remarkable 97 goals in 102 matches for the Portuguese side.

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Arsenal spent the concluding months of last season without a recognised striker following long-term injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.

Even before then, Arsenal were in desperate need of a reliable scorer, and Arteta will hope his new signing can fire him to his first silverware since he won the FA Cup in 2020, and end the club’s two-decade wait for a Premier League title.

READ ALSO:Arsenal Sign Spain Midfielder Zubimendi

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Constance Owoyomi praised for stellar performances in “To Kill A Monkey”

Arsenal’s new sporting director, Andrea Berta has wasted little time in strengthening a squad which has finished runners-up in the league for the past three seasons.

Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly have also put pen to paper on new contracts in the off-season, with a long-term extension for teenager Ethan Nwaneri believed to be all but completed.

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[BREAKING] WAFCON Final: Super Falcons’ Starting XI Against Morocco Unveiled

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The Super Falcons’ starting XI to face Morocco in the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON, has been confirmed.

Super Falcons coach, Justine Pwanidi Madugu, opted to start goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie in goal against the host nation.

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Madugu also started the likes of Osinachi Ohale and Michelle Alozie in the defensive line.

Nigeria head into the game after beating South Africa 2-1 in the semi-final encounter.

Morocco, on the other hand, defeated Ghana via a penalty shoot-out.

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READ ALSO:WAFCON Final: ‘We Play At Home’ – Morocco Coach, Vilda Warns Nigeria

The WAFCON final will take place at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat on Saturday at 9 p.m.

Here is the Super Falcons’ starting XI against Morocco:

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Chiamaka Nnadozie, Osinachi Ohale, Michelle Alozie, Oluwatosin Demehin, Ashleigh Plumptre, Deborah Abiodun, Halimatu Ayinde, Folashade Florence Ijamilusi, Rasheedat Ajibade, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Esther Okoronkwo

Substitutes: Christy Ucheibe, Jennifer Echegini, Sikiratu Isah, Toni Payne, Asisat Oshoala, Ifeoma I. Onumonu, and Tochukwu Oluehi.

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