"I hope they never go through it because the devastation we went through, football didn't matter.
We didn't care about football for weeks; none of us wanted to train. That was the reality."
Robertson described how the grief affected the daily environment at the Premier League club.
"You were getting treatment from physios, and physios didn't want to treat you. Do you know what I mean?
That is the reality of it.
As footballers, we then of course have a duty; we have to move on, we have to keep going and we managed that," Robertson said.
Local business owners in Toronto noted that fans have traveled in large numbers to support the team while wearing Jota's name.
"Diogo was a player deeply loved by the Portuguese people," business owner Miguel de Silva said.
"I think what he brings to the Portuguese players will be something special. Just one more reason for them to win the match [against Croatia]."
>>> NHL Free Agency: Sharks, Capitals, Kings Reshape Rosters on Day One
The winner of the match between Portugal and Croatia will advance to face either Spain or Austria in the round of 16.
