Ruben Neves hits back at Al-Taawoun fans who repeatedly tried to provoke him by chanting the name of the late former teammate Diogo Jota.
In this weekend’s Saudi Pro League match, chants of ‘Jota! Jota!’ were heard, which caught the attention of Neves, whose Portugal teammate died in a car accident last year.
Neves can be seen on video gesturing towards the sky and after the game he said, ‘I hope they don’t go to pray later after what they did.’
🚨 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇: Ruben Neves’ reaction as Al-Taawoun fans repeat the name of his late close friend: “Jota, Jota, Jota…” 🙏 pic.twitter.com/2iPdA36H3i
— RazedFootball (@RazedFootball) September 12, 2026
حديث روبن نيفيز حول تصرفات جماهير التعاون :
اتمنى ان لايذهبون للصلاة بعد مافعلوه 🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/rUzCATc2cT
— وسام (@ws_ws97) September 12, 2026
#وليد_الفراج: أن تقول لرونالدو “ميسي” فهذه تمشي من ضمن المنافسة التي بينهما لكن أن تهتف لنيفيز لاعب الهلال باسم زميله المتوفي “جوتا” فهذا فعل غير لائق.. كيف تلعب على أحزان الناس بهذه الطريقة.. يجب أن يكون لديك بعض الإنسانية.#روتانا_سبورت_مع_وليد #النصر_الخليج#الهلال_التعاون… pic.twitter.com/B7bZf90D9M
— روتانا سبورت مع وليد (@RotanaSport) September 12, 2026
There has been widespread criticism from those within the Saudi football community towards those who chanted.
Saudi TV host and media personality Waleed Al-Farraj said to the media: “Telling Ronaldo, Messi, is fine as part of the rivalry between them.
“But chanting for Neves, the Al-Hilal player, by the name of his deceased teammate “Jota” is an inappropriate act.. How do you play on people’s grief in this way.. You should have some humanity.”
The game saw Al-Hilal play out a 6-0 win, with Gabriel Martinelli netting a hat-trick, Ollie Watkins also scored two goals, and Sultan Mandash adding to it on the 75th minute.
Social media users have since given their reaction as Ruben Neves hits back at Al-Taawoun fans after repeatedly chanting name of Diogo Jota…
@chinacomedystu: He needs to come back home. #wwfc
@SMXLFC: Scumbags. Neves handled it extremely well.
@EddieTheCommish: Yeah that’s beyond banter. Awful from them
@TheRoadEndPod: How he’s stayed that level headed I’ll never know, scum bags 🐀
@DeliverOdds: Disgraceful! Hats off to Neves’ keeping his cool here
@lewiwolves: Just come home champ @Wolves
@ErlingRoIe:People like this are not even human
@Watch_LFC: This is absolutely disgusting. Football is one thing but using a dead man’s name to get under his best mates’ skin? Massive respect to Ruben Neves for his reaction. Most people would have lost their heads. He’s a better man than most.
@Stunner_Lfc: This is disgusting. Football is one thing, but using a dead man’s name to get under his best friend’s skin is beyond low. Huge respect to Ruben Neves for how he handled it.
@baderalmosaieed: Dear Ruben Neves, We strongly condemn what happened today and the offensive chants from a few individuals who do not represent Saudi fans, our values, or our religion. We are truly sorry for what happened, and we hope you will always remain at your best and continue to receive the respect you deserve @rubendsneves_
@Gregoris96_YNWA: Horrible scum of the earth, not even human
@PartedBeard: Two thoughts: – It takes a truly sick mind to chant Jota’s name to his best friend just because your team is losing and Neves was MOTM. There’s something barbaric and vulgar that goes beyond football and says a lot about these individuals. I’m glad many Saudi fans are as disgusted. – Salah not going to Saudi League is one of the best decisions he made in his career.
@SMA64_: What the fuck is wrong with some people these days
@dinglette1972: Well said Neves. Disgusting and vile.
@Mr_kingdom: What happened during yesterday’s Al Hilal vs. Al Taawoun match — where the name of the late Diogo Jota was used by some supporters to provoke Rúben Neves — was deeply disappointing and entirely contrary to the values of sport, humanity, and our society. We are Saudis, raised on faith, dignity, respect, and the timeless principles of noble character. Football is a game of passion and rivalry—not a place where grief is exploited, the memory of the deceased is disrespected, or a person’s pain is turned into entertainment. To Rúben Neves: please know that what happened does not represent the values of Saudi Arabia or the overwhelming majority of its people. Behind every player is a human being, and behind every name is a story, a bond, and emotions that deserve respect. Our stadiums should echo with passion, not cruelty. Our rivalry should produce unforgettable moments, not unforgettable pain. And no victory is ever worth the loss of our humanity. You have our respect, our solidarity, and our sincere appreciation. @rubendsneves_ 🙏🏻
@jh_8r: Hello, Rúben Neves. What happened today in the stadium does not represent Islam or Muslims in any way. Please be assured that what happened today does not represent an Al Hilal fan, nor an Al Nassr fan, nor an Al Ahli fan, nor an Al Ittihad fan, nor any fan of any club in the league. Our religion teaches us to respect all the deceased, regardless of their religion. What happened today was the act of a group of people who represent no one but themselves. Their behavior was disgraceful and cannot be justified in any way. Our religion does not approve of such chants. Rather, Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an:
“لَّا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَارِكُمْ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوا إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ”
“Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes, that you show them kindness and deal justly with them. Indeed, Allah loves those who deal justly.”
All my respect and appreciation to you
Rúben Neves. 🙏🏻💙
–
@rubendsneves_
Neves, you’ve really gotten under their skin! Keep going, we’re with you! 💪🏻
We are all Ruben Neves!💙💙#Neves_we_are_with_you pic.twitter.com/Mk3hMHPtBt— alezz_saudia🇸🇦 (@alezz_saudia) September 13, 2026
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