Ruben Neves has issued a strong response to Al-Taawoun fans who disgracefully chanted ‘Jota!’ at the Portuguese midfielder.Neves played a key role as Al-Hilal eased to a 6-0 win in Saturday’s Saudi Pro League clash.Neves has made an impressive start to the 2026/27 Saudi Pro League seasonThe former Wolves star provided the assist for Ollie Watkins’ early opener in the resounding away victory, the former Aston Villa man catching the eye following his arrival.Fellow new signing Gabriel Martinelli played a starring role in Saturday’s clash, bagging a hat-trick in a standout showing.The result saw Al-Hilal go top of the Saudi Pro League table as they made it six wins from the opening seven matches.However, the result was overshadowed as Al-Taawoun fans chanted ‘Jota! Jota! Jota!’ in Neves’ direction.View Tweet: https://t.co/2iPdA36H3iWhile some believe the chants were made out of respect, an overwhelming majority have criticised Zarko Lazetic’s relegation-threatened side.In response, Neves made a ‘God is watching you’ gesture and sarcastically applauded the Al-Taawoun supporters.And as Neves and his Al-Hilal teammates made their way through the mixed zone, the 29-year-old said: “I just hope they don’t go to pray later.”Neves’ relationship with JotaNeves was hit hard by the sudden tragic passing of Diogo Jota in the summer of 2025.Jota, along with brother Andre Silva, died in a car crash in the province of Zamora in Spain, while returning to England to report for pre-season training with Liverpool.Ruben Neves struggled in the time following Jota’s tragic passingGettyNeves was chosen as one of those to carry his late friend’s coffin at the funeral last summer, and has remained close with Jota’s family in the time since.“More than a friendship, we’re family, and we won’t stop it just because now you decided to sign a contract a little further away from us!” Neves wrote in an emotional statement last year.“When I go to the selection, you’ll still be next to me at the dinner table, on the bus, on the plane… you’ll always be there with me as always.“Let’s keep laughing, making plans, sharing our life with each other.“I’m going to make sure you’re always present and I’ll make sure that your loved ones never lack anything while you’re there, far away but thinking of us, waiting for us.“Life has brought us together and now it can’t tear us apart.”Liverpool also retired the number 20 shirt across all levels at the club following Jota’s death.The decision marked the first time the Reds officially retired a shirt number in its 134-year history.