A number of Diogo Jota’s Liverpool teammates have shared emotional tributes following the Portugal international’s untimely death.
The football world was rocked on Thursday with the news of Jota’s passing in a car accident in Spain, with an outpouring of emotion quickly following. Former boss Jürgen Klopp released a heartfelt statement, before current manager Arne Slot published a moving message remembering Jota.
Harvey Elliott, Darwin Núñez and Dominik Szoboszlai sent messages of support and many other teammates soon followed.
Left-back Andy Robertson was keen to focus on Jota’s life outside of football, admitting the man he dubbed ‘Diogo MacJota’ had “made his life better”.
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“There are gestures that one never forgets, and Diogo had one with me that will accompany me all my life. My hug goes out to Rute, his three children and his family. Rest in peace, Diogo and André.”
Mohamed Salah, who is reported to have cut short his holiday in the aftermath of the news, added: “I am truly lost for words. Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me of going back to Liverpool after the break.
“Team mates 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. 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.”
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“I would like to address the world: today it’s Diogo and his brother. Yesterday it was someone else. Tomorrow it could be us,” he wrote. “Let’s enjoy every moment that life offers us, with our families, friends, even strangers. Let’s try to live in peace and send each other love. We don’t know what tomorrow brings.”
“What a human being, what a player, but most importantly what an unbelievable family man. You meant so much to all of us and you always will! For your family to lose two sons, a husband and a father is just unimaginable. So cruel and unfair. My heart is breaking for all of your beautiful family, for Rute and for your kids. I promise you that in these difficult times and beyond we will always be there for your family.
“A champion forever, number 20 forever. It’s been a privilege to have stood by your side on the pitch, and to have been your friend off it. We will miss you beyond words and never forget you. Your legacy will live on, we will make sure of it!
“Rest in perfect peace Diogo & André.”
“It’s so difficult to find the right words when your head and heart are struggling to accept that someone you care so much about has gone,” the former Liverpool right-back wrote.
“Diogo, your family was your world. They were everything. For Rute, his children, and his parents, all of our hearts are broken. And for André as well. Brothers and best friends.
“When it’s less painful, I want to remember Diogo with a big smile. So many laughs and happy moments. He was such a great teammate and a true friend.
“Forever number 20. Rest in peace, Diogo.”
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Liverpool Squad ‘Devastated’ by Loss of Diogo Jota: Van Dijk, Salah Lead Tributes.
