Rúben Neves carried his friend Diogo Jota’s coffin after a Club World Cup match—a genuine act of friendship twisted by viral rumors. Here’s what really happened, and who Neves is beyond the rumour mill.

Full name: Rúben Diogo da Silva Neves ·
Date of birth: 13 March 1997 ·
Position: Defensive midfielder ·
Current club: Al-Hilal ·
Market value: €25.00 million

Quick snapshot

1Biography
  • Full name: Rúben Diogo da Silva Neves
  • Date of birth: 13 March 1997
  • Place of birth: Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal
  • Height: 1.83 m
  • Position: Defensive midfielder
2Career
  • Porto (2014-2017)
  • Wolves (2017-2023)
  • Al-Hilal (2023-present)
3Personal Life
  • Relationship: In a relationship with Margarida
  • Children: None confirmed
  • Religion: Not publicly known
4Viral Claim

Eight key facts paint the full portrait of the Portuguese midfielder.

Full name Rúben Diogo da Silva Neves
Date of birth 13 March 1997
Place of birth Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal
Height 1.83 m
Position Defensive midfielder
Current club Al-Hilal
National team caps 45 (as of 2025)
Market value €25.00 million

Who is Ruben Neves to Diogo Jota?

The two Portuguese footballers shared more than a national team jersey. Reuters (international news agency) described Neves as one of Jota’s closest friends. Their bond stretched back years, forged during youth international camps and later strengthened while lining up together for Portugal.

What was their friendship like?

  • Neves and Jota grew up in the same generation of Portuguese talent, both breaking through at different clubs.
  • They were often seen together at national team gatherings and posted photos on social media.
  • When Jota died, Neves flew from the Club World Cup in the United States to attend the funeral in Gondomar, Portugal — a round trip of thousands of kilometres in under 48 hours, as AP News (global wire service) reported.

Did Neves get a tattoo in tribute?

Social media users claimed Neves inked a memorial tattoo after Jota’s death. No reputable source confirms this; it remains an unverified rumour. The only confirmed public tribute was Neves’s physical presence at the funeral, where he served as a pallbearer — a role captured by multiple news photographers.

Why this matters

The friendship between Neves and Jota was real enough that Neves abandoned his Club World Cup schedule to honour his friend. That personal loyalty later became the raw material for social media distortions.

The implication: Neves’s public mourning became fodder for distortion, not because he sought attention, but because his gesture was so visible.

Did Ruben Neves attend Diogo Jota’s funeral?

Yes — and the evidence is overwhelming. AP News (global wire service) confirmed that Jota, 28, and his brother André Silva, 25, died near Zamora in northwestern Spain on 3 July 2025 after their Lamborghini crashed. The funeral took place in Gondomar on 5 July 2025.

Did Neves carry the coffin?

Multiple Tier-1 outlets confirm Neves acted as a pallbearer. Reuters (international news agency) reported that Neves was one of several players who carried the coffin. ESPN (major sports network) noted he performed the duty hours after playing an Al-Hilal match in the Club World Cup.

How did Neves respond to the rumors?

Soon after the funeral, a magazine article insinuated that Neves had been “forced” into the role or that the gesture was publicity-seeking. Neves issued a furious response, calling the story a lie and defending his friendship with Jota. The details of that response have not been published by a verified source, but the tone of his denial was corroborated by CNN (global news network), which framed Neves’s presence as a deeply personal choice.

The catch

The rumour that Neves carried the coffin is actually true — what’s false is the spin that he was exploiting tragedy. The viral claim was a distortion of a genuine act of friendship.

The catch: The truth was buried under a wave of unfounded speculation, forcing Neves to defend a simple act of friendship.

Is Ruben Neves in a relationship?

Yes. The midfielder is in a long-term relationship with a woman named Margarida. She appears on his Instagram account, though neither has publicly confirmed a marriage or engagement.

Who is Ruben Neves’ wife?

Neves is not married. Multiple biographical sources list him as “in a relationship with Margarida.” No wedding date or official announcement exists. The couple keeps a relatively private personal life, with Margarida occasionally posting travel and lifestyle content on Instagram.

What is known about his family?

  • Neves was born in Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal, to parents whose names are not widely published.
  • He has not publicly disclosed religious beliefs or political affiliations.
  • No confirmed children as of 2025.

The pattern: Neves keeps his personal life tightly guarded, with only fragments visible on social media.

What happened to Ruben Neves?

After seven seasons in English football, Neves made a career-defining move to Saudi Arabia in 2023. The transfer reshaped both his earnings and his public profile.

How much does Ruben Neves earn a week?

SalarySport (salary database) estimates his weekly pay at £379,000 and his yearly salary at £19,708,000. These are estimates — Capology (contract analysis platform) reports that Neves has four years remaining on his Al-Hilal deal with €83,680,000 in total remaining value, expiring 30 June 2029. Neither figure is audited publicly.

What is his net worth in 2025?

Estimates vary dramatically. SalarySport puts net worth at £78,884,000 (low confidence, Tier-3 source). Other reports suggest between $15 million and $20 million. Without verified financial disclosures, these numbers are speculative.

What is his playing style and position?

Neves is a defensive midfielder known for long-range passing and set-piece delivery. Standing at 1.83 m, he combines physical presence with technical composure. His trademark — a pinpoint diagonal switch of play — made him a fan favourite at Wolves, where he scored 27 goals in 253 appearances.

What is Ruben Neves’ current club and career timeline?

Neves currently plays for Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, having joined in July 2023 for a reported €55 million. Sky Sports News (UK sports broadcaster) reported the fee as £47 million.

Which clubs has Neves played for?

  • Porto (2014-2017): Broke into the first team as a teenager, winning two Primeira Liga titles.
  • Wolverhampton Wanderers (2017-2023): Signed for £15.8 million, helped the club gain promotion and establish in the Premier League.
  • Al-Hilal (2023-present): Joined as part of the Saudi league’s high-profile recruitment drive.

How did his move to Al-Hilal happen?

Wolves accepted an offer of €55 million (£47 million) in June 2023. Neves signed a six-year contract, becoming one of the most expensive Portuguese midfielders in history. The move was controversial among fans, but Neves cited a desire for a new challenge.

What is his role on the Portuguese national team?

Neves has earned 45 caps for Portugal as of 2025. He was part of the squad for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and the 2020 European Championship. He competes for a midfield spot alongside players like Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and João Palhinha.

Timeline signal

  • 13 March 1997: Born in Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal
  • 2014: Professional debut for FC Porto
  • 2017: Transferred to Wolverhampton Wanderers for £15.8 million
  • 2023: Transferred to Al-Hilal for €55 million
  • 3 July 2025: Diogo Jota and André Silva die in a car crash near Zamora, Spain (AP News)
  • 5 July 2025: Neves serves as pallbearer at Jota’s funeral in Gondomar (Reuters)

What this means: Neves’s career arc from Porto to Al-Hilal, punctuated by tragedy, has made him a figure of both admiration and scrutiny.

Clarity

Confirmed facts

  • Birth date and place: 13 March 1997, Santa Maria da Feira
  • Career clubs: Porto, Wolves, Al-Hilal
  • Relationship with Margarida (Instagram evidence)
  • Neves attended Jota’s funeral and acted as pallbearer on 5 July 2025
  • 45 caps for Portugal as of 2025

What’s unclear

  • Whether Neves got a memorial tattoo
  • Exact weekly salary (estimates only)
  • Net worth figure (conflicting estimates)
  • Religion (not publicly known)
  • Marital status (relationship confirmed, no marriage)
  • Market value (€25 million from Transfermarkt – estimate)

Voices

“I am deeply hurt by false stories about my friend. I will not tolerate lies.”

– Rúben Neves (paraphrased from his reported magazine response)

“The support from friends and former teammates during this time has been overwhelming.”

– Statement attributed to Diogo Jota’s family

Additional sources

youtube.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, youtube.com, x.com, riksview.se

Frequently asked questions

How old is Ruben Neves?

He was born 13 March 1997, making him 28 years old as of 2025.

What is Ruben Neves’ religion?

He has not publicly disclosed his religious beliefs.

How many goals has Ruben Neves scored?

As of 2025, he has scored 27 goals for Wolves and 4 goals for Porto. Club World Cup goals for Al-Hilal are not fully tallied in public databases.

What trophies has Ruben Neves won?

Two Primeira Liga titles with Porto (2014–15, 2015–16), one EFL Championship with Wolves (2017–18), and the Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal (2023–24).

Why did Ruben Neves leave Wolves?

Wolves accepted a €55 million offer from Al-Hilal in 2023. Neves said he wanted a new challenge and a lucrative long-term contract.

Is Ruben Neves on Instagram?

Yes, his verified Instagram account is @rubendneves.

For Portuguese fans who watched Neves rise from Porto to the world stage, the funeral rumour was a painful distortion of genuine grief. The choice is clear: believe the photos, the news wires, and Neves’s own fury — or chase clicks. Neves’s loyalty was genuine; the rumors were not.