Al-Taawoun supporters sparked widespread anger and condemnation after repeatedly chanting “Jota! Jota!” at Rúben Neves during their Saudi Pro League clash with Al-Hilal.
The chants, coming from sections of the home crowd, were clearly intended to unsettle the Portuguese midfielder by invoking the memory of his close friend and former teammate, Diogo Jota. Neves was visibly distressed by the provocation. At one point he walked towards the stands, confronting the supporters before pointing emphatically towards the sky — a quiet, poignant gesture that seemed to remind them Jota was still watching over him.
The bond between Neves and Jota ran deep. The two formed a close friendship during their years together at Wolverhampton Wanderers and while representing Portugal at international level. Neves has spoken previously about how Jota felt like a member of his own family, describing the connection as far more than simple teammate camaraderie. That relationship made the chants particularly cruel.
Jota’s death, alongside that of his younger brother André Silva, in a car accident in Spain in July 2025 still resonates painfully across Portuguese football. The 28-year-old’s passing left many of his friends and former colleagues shattered. Neves was among those who helped carry Jota’s coffin at the funeral, a public sign of how deeply the loss affected him.
Despite the emotional pressure from the stands, Neves kept his composure and focused on the task at hand. Al-Hilal responded with a ruthless, clinical performance, dismantling Al-Taawoun 6-0. The emphatic victory maintained Al-Hilal’s position at the top of the Saudi Pro League table, while Al-Taawoun remained stuck near the foot of the standings in 17th place.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from fans and observers, many of whom argue that using a player’s personal grief as a weapon of provocation crosses a fundamental line in the sport. Football has long had a tradition of banter and psychological warfare, but targeting the memory of a deceased friend and teammate is widely viewed as a step too far.
Neves’ response — both the confrontation and the skyward gesture — spoke volumes. In a moment that could easily have boiled over, he chose dignity over retaliation, turning the provocation into a personal reminder of the friend he still carries with him.
