Ruben Neves has hit again at supporters trying to impress him by chanting the title of his late good friend Diogo Jota throughout a Saudi Professional League match.
Footage shared on social media confirmed Neves responding to Al-Taawoun supporters repeatedly chanting Jota’s title within the course of the Portugal and Al-Hilal midfielder.
Neves appeared to sign to the followers that ‘God is watching’, as he pointed first to the sky, then to his eyes and eventually of their course.
The Portuguese star could possibly be seen repeating the gesture earlier than returning to the sport.
Neves briefly referenced the incident after Al-Hilal recorded a 6-0 victory over Al-Taawoun, as he rapidly walked by way of the blended zone post-match.
‘I hope they do not go to prayer later,’ Neves instructed reporters, showing to distinction the behaviour of the followers with non secular teachings.
Ruben Neves responded to Al-Taawoun supporters chanting the title of his late team-mate Diogo Jota at him throughout a Saudi Professional League match
Neves appeared to sign to the followers that ‘God is watching’, as he pointed first to the sky, then to his eyes and eventually of their course
Publish-match Neves instructed reporters ‘I hope they do not go to prayer later, showing to distinction the behaviour of the followers with non secular teachings
Neves had been one of the best good friend of the late Liverpool star Jota, who tragically died on the age of 28 alongside his brother Andre Silva, 25, after a automobile crash in northern Spain in July 2025.
Neves, who performed with Jota at Wolves and with Portugal, had been one of many pallbearers at Jota’s funeral.
The 29-year-old final 12 months revealed he had a brand new leg tattoo of him hugging his late team-mate in an emotional tribute, whereas Portugal determined Neves ought to put on Jota’s No21 shirt.
Neves has additionally been a relentless determine of help for Jota’s widow Rute Cardoso, who had married the star simply 11 days earlier than the tragic automobile accident, which came about whereas he was driving again to the UK for pre-season coaching.
The chants from Al-Taawoun followers to Jota have been condemned in Saudi Arabia.
Waleed Al-Farraj, a outstanding Saudi soccer broadcaster, claimed the chants lacked ‘humanity’.
‘So that you can say “Messi” to [Cristiano] Ronaldo, this goes throughout the competitors that exists between them, however to chant at Neves, the Al-Hilal participant, with the title of his deceased team-mate Jota, that is an improper act,’ Al-Farraj stated.
‘How do you play on individuals’s sorrows on this method? You should have some humanity.’
Jota tragically died on the age of 28 in July final 12 months following a automobile crash in Spain
Neves and Jota had been shut associates and performed alongside one another on 164 events
Neves final 12 months revealed a tattoo on his leg of him embracing his good friend in a touching tribute
Saudi Arabian worldwide Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, who performs for Al-Ahli, additionally labelled the chants as ‘mistaken and unacceptable’ in a social media put up.
‘I needed to attract consideration to one thing all of us witnessed at the moment. I felt it was my responsibility – as a Muslim – to share this and lift consciousness,’ Abu Al-Shamat wrote on Instagram.
‘Nobody is ideal, in fact, however relating to the actions of some Al-Taawoun followers throughout the match towards Al-Hilal: this is not nearly our membership; it considerations our nice faith, Islam.
‘Irrespective of how intense the rivalry or the state of affairs, we must always by no means stoop to gloating over the lifeless, participating in slander, or attacking individuals’s households or the deceased.
‘We reside in an Islamic nation, and it’s our responsibility to indicate the world what Islam actually represents—a faith of affection, tolerance, and respect. I hope we are able to leverage the large consideration our league is receiving to undertaking the very best picture of Islam.
‘By doing so, we would foster goodwill and assist others study our religion. That’s the message I needed to convey; I felt a private obligation, as a Muslim dwelling on this nice Islamic nation, to talk out towards what is occurring—as a result of it’s mistaken and unacceptable.’
