Mohamed Salah has admitted he feels “frightened” to return to Liverpool following the tragic death of teammate Diogo Jota in a car crash in Spain. The Portugal international and his younger brother, André Silva, died early Thursday when their vehicle veered off a motorway and caught fire.
The news has sent shockwaves through the football world, with Liverpool players, staff, and fans struggling to come to terms with the loss. A wake was held in Portugal on Friday, with the funeral set for Saturday.
In a heartfelt message shared on Instagram, Salah paid tribute to Jota, saying, “Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me about going back to Liverpool after the break. Teammates come and go, but not like this. It’s going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won’t be there when we go back.”
He added, “My thoughts are with his wife, his children, and of course his parents who suddenly lost their children. Those close to Diogo and his brother André need all the support they can get. They will never be forgotten.”
Jota had only recently married his long-time partner Rute Cardoso on June 22, sharing a wedding video online just hours before the fatal accident. The couple had three children.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk described himself as “absolutely devastated and in total disbelief,” while manager Arne Slot urged unity, saying the club must “stand together and be there for one another.”
In response to the tragedy, Liverpool postponed the return of the first group of players for pre-season physical tests, originally scheduled for Friday. Training is now expected to resume on Monday. The club’s first pre-season match is set for July 13 against Preston.
Flags at Anfield have been lowered to half-mast, and a book of condolence has been opened. Outside the stadium, grieving fans have created a growing shrine with flowers, scarves, and jerseys. A similar outpouring of emotion has taken place at Wolves’ Molineux Stadium, where Jota played from 2017 to 2020.
The footballing world continues to mourn the loss of a rising star whose life was tragically cut short.
Written By Rodney Mbua
