Ronaldo calls for lifetime bans after ‘Jota’ chants aimed at Neves

Cristiano Ronaldo has demanded lifetime bans for stadium entry for fans who engage in abusive behavior, following the unsettling chants directed at Al Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves during a match against Al Taawoun. The chants referenced Diogo Jota, a Portuguese footballer who tragically passed away in a car accident in July 2025.

Neves and Jota were close friends who played together at Wolverhampton Wanderers and in Portugal's youth and senior teams. Neves, who was among the pallbearers at Jota's funeral, expressed his anger over the chants to ESPN, stating, "I just hope they don't go to pray later after what they did." Ronaldo, who currently plays alongside Neves for Portugal and Al Nassr, condemned the behavior and urged the Saudi Pro League to take decisive action against such supporters.

Ronaldo emphasized that the league must set clear boundaries, stating that people who behave in this manner should never be allowed into a stadium again. Neves and Jota shared a long-standing friendship, making the incident particularly painful for the Al Hilal player. Despite the controversy, Al-Hilal secured a 6-0 victory over Al Taawoun, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring a hat-trick and Ollie Watkins adding two goals.