Liverpool FC is in mourning following the tragic death of Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident in northern Spain on Thursday. The 28-year-old was killed alongside his younger brother, Andre Silva, when their vehicle veered off the motorway and burst into flames.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot led tributes to the popular striker, describing him as “a friend to everyone” and “the essence of what a Liverpool player should be.”
“My first thoughts are not those of a football manager. They are of a father, a son, a brother and an uncle,” said Slot in an emotional statement. “To the family of Diogo and Andre, my message is clear, you will never walk alone.”
Jota, who joined Liverpool in 2020, scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the Reds and was instrumental in helping the club clinch the Premier League title earlier this year, Slot’s first season in charge.
Fans gathered at Anfield to pay tribute, laying flowers, shirts, and flags in memory of the player, who was also capped 49 times for Portugal. His recent wedding to his long-time partner Rute Cardoso, mother of their three children, had taken place just two weeks prior to the accident.
“When the time is right, we will celebrate Diogo Jota, we will remember his goals and we will sing his song,” said Slot. “But for now, we mourn a unique human being. He will never be forgotten.”
Jota was widely admired not only for his footballing prowess but also for his humility and warmth off the pitch. “Not a friend to two people, a friend to everyone,” Slot said. “Someone who made others feel good about themselves just by being with them.”
The tragedy has united the football world in grief, with condolences pouring in from fans, players, and clubs across the globe.
Written By Rodney Mbua
