Ruben Neves has hit back at supporters attempting to provoke him by chanting the name of his late friend Diogo Jota during a Saudi Pro League match.Footage shared on social media showed Neves responding to Al-Taawoun supporters repeatedly chanting Jota’s name in the direction of the Portugal and Al-Hilal midfielder.Neves appeared to signal to the fans that ‘God is watching’, as he pointed first to the sky, then to his eyes and finally in their direction.The Portuguese star could be seen repeating the gesture before returning to the game.Neves briefly referenced the incident after Al-Hilal recorded a 6-0 victory over Al-Taawoun, as he quickly walked through the mixed zone post-match. ‘I hope they don’t go to prayer later,’ Neves told reporters, appearing to contrast the behaviour of the fans with religious teachings. Ruben Neves responded to Al-Taawoun supporters chanting the name of his late team-mate Diogo Jota at him during a Saudi Pro League match Neves appeared to signal to the fans that ‘God is watching’, as he pointed first to the sky, then to his eyes and finally in their direction Post-match Neves told reporters ‘I hope they don’t go to prayer later, appearing to contrast the behaviour of the fans with religious teachingsNeves had been the best friend of the late Liverpool star Jota, who tragically died at the age of 28 alongside his brother Andre Silva, 25, after a car crash in northern Spain in July 2025. Neves, who played with Jota at Wolves and with Portugal, had been one of the pallbearers at Jota’s funeral.The 29-year-old last year revealed he had a new leg tattoo of him hugging his late team-mate in an emotional tribute, while Portugal decided Neves should wear Jota’s No21 shirt.Neves has also been a constant figure of support for Jota’s widow Rute Cardoso, who had married the star just 11 days before the tragic car accident, which took place while he was driving back to the UK for pre-season training. The chants from Al-Taawoun fans to Jota have been condemned in Saudi Arabia.Waleed Al-Farraj, a prominent Saudi football broadcaster, claimed the chants lacked ‘humanity’.’For you to say “Messi” to [Cristiano] Ronaldo, this goes within the competition that exists between them, but to chant at Neves, the Al-Hilal player, with the name of his deceased team-mate Jota, this is an improper act,’ Al-Farraj said.’How do you play on people’s sorrows in this way? You must have some humanity.’ Jota tragically died at the age of 28 in July last year following a car crash in Spain Neves and Jota were close friends and played alongside each other on 164 occasions Neves last year revealed a tattoo on his leg of him embracing his friend in a touching tributeSaudi Arabian international Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, who plays for Al-Ahli, also labelled the chants as ‘wrong and unacceptable’ in a social media post.’I wanted to draw attention to something we all witnessed today. I felt it was my duty – as a Muslim – to share this and raise awareness,’ Abu Al-Shamat wrote on Instagram.’No one is perfect, of course, but regarding the actions of some Al-Taawoun fans during the match against Al-Hilal: this isn’t just about our club; it concerns our great religion, Islam. ‘No matter how intense the rivalry or the situation, we should never stoop to gloating over the dead, engaging in slander, or attacking people’s families or the deceased. ‘We live in an Islamic country, and it is our duty to show the world what Islam truly represents—a religion of love, tolerance, and respect. I hope we can leverage the massive attention our league is receiving to project the best possible image of Islam. ‘By doing so, we might foster goodwill and help others learn about our faith. That is the message I wanted to convey; I felt a personal obligation, as a Muslim living in this great Islamic nation, to speak out against what is happening—because it is wrong and unacceptable.’