Ronaldo consoles Ricardo Carvalho after assistant coach's father dies at Portugal's World Cup base

Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portugal squad gathered to console assistant coach Ricardo Carvalho after the death of his father, Manuel Ribeiro de Carvalho, aged 69, during the national team’s World Cup training camp in Miami.

Carvalho, the former Chelsea and Real Madrid defender who earned 89 caps for Portugal between 2003 and 2016, learned of his father’s passing at the squad’s Miami base. He was still present for training on Monday, where the squad formed a circle, joined arms and bowed their heads in a moment of silence in his honour. Ronaldo embraced his former team-mate, as did several other members of the squad.

The Portuguese Football Federation issued a formal statement expressing its condolences. “The Portuguese Football Federation expresses its deepest sorrow for the passing of Manuel Ribeiro de Carvalho, father of Ricardo Carvalho, assistant coach of the National Team, at the age of 69,” it read. “In this moment of profound sadness, the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, the Board of Directors and all FPF employees extend their deepest condolences to Ricardo Carvalho and his entire family, sharing in their grief and wishing them strength to face this irreparable loss.”

Portugal’s national team also posted on social media: “We’re with you. Strength, Ricardo Carvalho.”

Ahead of a press conference previewing Portugal’s round-of-32 match against Croatia, national team adviser Francisco Trigo de Abreu also paid tribute. “I just want to offer my and João’s condolences to Ricardo Carvalho, whose father passed away,” he said. “He remains with us. We wanted to express our sadness because he was a great colleague and a great friend.”

Following that press conference, the FPF confirmed that Carvalho would travel to Portugal to attend his father’s funeral, leaving his involvement in preparations for the Croatia tie uncertain.

Carvalho, 48, has been part of Roberto Martinez’s coaching staff since 2023, having previously worked under Andre Villas-Boas at Marseille. Portugal face Croatia in Toronto on Thursday.