The Saudi Pro League match between Al Hilal and Al Taawoun witnessed a controversial incident after Ruben Neves, the star midfielder for Al Hilal, responded to chants from the home stands referencing his late friend, Diogo Jota.
Chants featuring Jota’s name carry deep sensitivity for Neves due to the close relationship the two shared over many years. The pair played together at Porto before sealing joint moves to Wolverhampton Wanderers, alongside their frequent appearances for the Portugal national team.
Their friendship extended far beyond the pitch. Neves was among Jota’s closest friends, traveling from the United States to Portugal following Al Hilal’s Club World Cup campaign to attend his funeral and serve as a pallbearer. Neves later honored his memory with a tribute tattoo and by wearing the number 21 shirt for the Portuguese national team.
According to video footage circulating on social media, a section of fans chanted “Jota” in an effort to provoke Neves. The Portuguese international approached the stands and responded, “God is watching you,” before resuming play.
The match, played as part of Matchday 7 of the Saudi Pro League, ended in a commanding 6-0 victory for Al Hilal over Al Taawoun, allowing Simone Inzaghi’s side to continue their strong form in the competition.
Diogo Jota passed away on July 3, 2025, at the age of 28, alongside his brother André Silva, following a tragic car accident on the A-52 motorway near the Spanish city of Zamora, just days before he was scheduled to report back for Liverpool’s pre-season training.
Preliminary investigations indicated that a tire blowout during an overtaking maneuver caused the vehicle to veer off the road and burst into flames, with speed factors being examined as part of the inquiry. Consequently, the attempt to use Jota’s name to provoke Neves drew widespread condemnation.
Saudi authorities are expected to intervene to penalize the individuals involved in the chants, with potential sanctions including stadium bans to prevent a recurrence of conduct damaging to the league’s global profile.
