Liverpool FC will retire Diogo Jota's No20 out of respect and his song will echo on Kop into eternity
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Diogo Jota's untimely death is an incomprehensible shock to the global army of Reds fans who worshipped him
Credit: EPA
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Jota's final goal for Liverpool confirmed his legendary status: a late winner to push his team closer to that 20th league title
We see our heroes as indestructible, and the striker Jota was no exception.
He regularly worked miracles.
His final goal for Liverpool confirmed his legendary status: a late winner to push his team closer to that 20th league title.
At the Kop end.
READ MORE ON DIOGO JOTA
In a
Goals don't come much bigger than that. Jota the Slotter's crucial strikes earned him the ultimate badge of honour — his own song from adoring Kopites.
Even when on the bench, the crowd would bellow it out to the tune of Creedence Clearwater Revival's hit Bad Moon Rising.
'He's a lad from Portugal; better than
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Barely a month ago, I was among a record 1.5million who saw him and his teammates parade the Premier League trophy through Liverpool on an open-top bus.
It turned into a harrowing day when a
'Profound loss and shock' - Martin Lipton on death of Liverpool star Diogo Jota dies aged 28 in tragic car crash
Two weeks after that day of triumph and horror, Jota lifted the UEFA Nations League trophy with Portugal.
And only ten days ago he married his sweetheart Rute, mother of his three young children.
Our grief as fans cannot begin to compare with the pain felt by the Jota family, who have lost not only Diogo but his younger brother, Andre.
We see our heroes as indestructible, and the striker Jota was no exception
I'm sure the club and its supporters will ensure they never walk alone.
Over decades as a Liverpool fan, I've stood many times in silent tribute to Kop legends - from
No crowd does it better than Anfield.
But there will be an added poignancy when Diogo is honoured as he enters the pantheon of lost legends at the age of just 28.
I suspect the club will retire the Number 20 he wore as a mark of respect.
But his song will echo on the Kop into eternity.
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Jota the Slotter's crucial strikes earned him the ultimate badge of honour — his own song from adoring Kopites
Credit: Alamy
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The Journal
29 minutes ago
- The Journal
Diogo Jota: Mourners to gather for Liverpool footballer's wake in Portugal
MOURNERS ARE SET to gather to honour Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota at a wake in Portugal this morning, a local parish priest has said. The 28-year-old father of three, who had married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso just 11 days ago, died in a car crash in Spain alongside his brother Andre Silva. The crash happened on the A-52 in Palacios de Sanabria near the city of Zamora at 12.40am on Thursday. It is suspected that the Lamborghini they were travelling in veered off the road and burst into flames following a tyre blowout. Jose Manuel Macedo, parish priest at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme, told the PA news agency in a translated message that a wake for the brothers will take place at 8am at the nearby Capela da Ressurreicao before their funeral at the Igreja Matriz on Saturday at 10am. Tributes poured in from across the football world and beyond yesterday. They were led by Liverpool Football Club, which Jota had been a star player for since he joined the club in 2020. In a statement yesterday afternoon, manager Arne Slot said the 'sense of shock is absolute' for the club. Liverpool fans leave tributes outside Anfield Stadium in memory of Diogo Jota. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo 'Diogo was not just our player. He was a loved one to all of us. He was a teammate, a colleague, a workmate and in all of those roles he was very special,' Slot said. 'I could say so much about what he brought to our team but the truth is everyone who watched Diogo play could see it. Hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, goals. The essence of what a Liverpool player should be.' He said Jota 'never sought popularity' but gained it anyway and was a friend to everyone, able to make others feel good about themselves 'just by being with them'. He said the last time they spoke, he wished Jota luck for his upcoming wedding. 'In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family, which makes it all the more heartbreaking that it should end like this,' Slot added. Our lad from Portugal. Forever ❤️ — Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 3, 2025 'When the time is right, we will celebrate Diogo Jota, we will remember his goals and we will sing his song. For the time being, we will remember him as a unique human being and mourn his loss. He will never be forgotten.' Irish goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who left Liverpool last month to join Brentford, said Jota had become 'one of my closest friends in football' in a tribute shared last night. 'I was surprised a lad from Portugal loved sports such as darts, snooker and horse racing so much and some of my best memories were having a laugh watching them with you,' Kelleher said. 'I feel so blessed and grateful to have seen you on your happiest day, the day of your wedding and to be able to share in that day with you was special. I'll never forget it. You were deeply loved by everyone at the club, the city and all over the world. 'It's gonna hurt for a long time and I'm gonna miss you so much but I feel so lucky to have got know you and have such a good friend.' Advertisement Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk said he was 'absolutely devastated and in total disbelief' following the news of Jota's death. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Virgil (@virgilvandijk) '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. 'I promise you that in these difficult times and beyond we will always be there for your family,' he added. 'We will miss you beyond words and never forget you. Your legacy will live on, we will make sure of it!' The club has opened physical and digital books of condolence in the wake of the deaths, and supporters and members of the public can go to the Anfield Road Stand reception area over the coming days to sign a message. The online book can be found on Liverpool's website . Flags have been lowered to half-mast at the stadium and all club stores, museums and tours have been closed until Monday, with staff offered wellbeing support. The Portuguese Football Federation also said it was 'devastated' to learn of the deaths, adding: 'Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football.' The tributes at Anfield Stadium seen from above. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Police said they were investigating the possibility that the Lamborghini left the road because of a tyre blowout while overtaking, and a source from the government sub-delegation in Zamora confirmed 'a possible speeding incident' was being looked at. No other vehicles are said to have been involved in the incident. Pictures of the aftermath of the crash showed debris scattered along the side of the road including what appeared to be charred parts of the vehicle. Liverpool fans began leaving tributes outside Anfield after the news broke yesterday, with flowers being laid with messages including 'Thanks for everything, Diogo'. Jota was part of Liverpool's Premier League-winning side in the 2024/25 campaign, scoring six goals in 26 appearances. He joined the Merseyside club from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020, winning three major trophies. Liverpool fans have called for the number 2o shirt, which Jota wore throughout his tenure at the club, to be retired in his honour. Jota and his wife were together since 2013. They have three children together – two sons and a daughter who was born in November. With reporting from Press Association Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... 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The 42
35 minutes ago
- The 42
'You were deeply loved' - Caoimhín Kelleher honours memory of friend and teammate Diogo Jota
LIVERPOOL'S CAOIMHÍN KELLEHER has paid tribute to his friend and teammate Diogo Jota following his tragic death in a car crash on Thursday. The Portuguese forward died at the age of 28 in a car accident in Spain in the early hours of Thursday morning. His brother, Andre Silva, was also killed. Kelleher and Jota contributed to Liverpool's Premier League success and became close friends during their time together at Anfield. Advertisement 'Can't believe I'm writing this right now and I'm finding it hard to put into words,' Kelleher began in a touching tribute posted on his Instagram account. 'I'm absolutely devastated by this news. All my thoughts and condolences are with Rute and their 3 beautiful kids and Diogo and Andre's family. 'It was a such a pleasure to get to know you over these years and to share some special memories on the pitch and even more so off it. 'You became one of my closest friends in football. We bonded over all things sports watching any football match we could find often your brother Andre's game on your iPad. 'I was surprised a lad from Portugal loved sports such as darts, snooker and horse racing so much and some of my best memories were having a laugh watching them with you. 'You were such a fun genuine, normal down to earth and loving family man and always very competitive I'm gonna miss our pre match programme quiz.' Kelleher went on to mention Jota's wedding which took place only last week, and says he was honoured to attend. 'I feel so blessed and grateful to have seen you on your happiest day, the day of your wedding and to be able to share in that day with you was special. I'll never forget it. 'You were deeply loved by everyone at the club, the city and all over the world. It's gonna hurt for a long time and I'm gonna miss you so much but I feel so lucky to have got know you and have such a good friend 'Love you Diogo.'
Extra.ie
38 minutes ago
- Extra.ie
Mourners to gather in Portugal for wake of tragic Diogo Jota
Mourners are set to gather to honour Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota at a wake in Portugal on Friday morning, a local parish priest has said. Jota and his younger brother, Andre Silva, died in a car accident in Zamora, Spain, in the early hours of Thursday morning. Less than two weeks ago Jota, who was 28, married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso. The couple have three children together. Mourners are set to gather to honour Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota at a wake in Portugal on Friday morning, a local parish priest has said. Pic: Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images Jose Manuel Macedo, parish priest at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme, told the PA news agency in a translated message that a wake for the brothers will take place at 8am at the nearby Capela da Ressurreicao before their funeral at the Igreja Matriz on Saturday at 10am. According to BBC Sport, Jota was returning for pre-season training next week via ferry after being advised not to fly following minor surgery. Liverpool's 'heartbroken' players have spoken of their pain in paying tribute to their team-mate. Tributes have poured in for Diogo and his brother following Thursday's tragedy, with fans leaving floral tributes to the player outside Anfield. Pic: Peter Byrne/PA Reds captain Virgil van Dijk said on Instagram he was 'absolutely devastated and in total disbelief.' The Dutch defender wrote in a post alongside a picture of Jota with the Premier League trophy '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.' Diogo married his wife Rute just two weeks before his tragic passing, with the couple sharing three children together. Pic: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images '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 & Andre.' Andy Robertson, one of the players with the longest association with Jota, also paid an emotional tribute. 'The ones I'm thinking about most right now are the family. Their loss is too much to bear. I'm so sorry that they have lost two such precious souls – Diogo and Andre,' he posted on Instagram. 'For the team and the club, we'll try to cope with this together… however long that takes. For me, I want to talk about my mate. My buddy. The bloke I loved and will miss like crazy. I could talk about him as a player for hours, but none of that feels like it matters right now. 'It's the man. The person. He was such a good guy. The best. So genuine. Just normal and real. Full of love for the people he cared about. Full of fun. He was the most British foreign player I've ever met. 'I can't believe we're saying goodbye. It's too soon, and it hurts so much. But thank you for being in my life, mate – and for making it better.' 'Heartbroken' former manager Jurgen Klopp, for whom his Christian faith has played a big part in his life, wrote on Instagram 'This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can't see it!' Liverpool, who are supporting Jota's family, have opened a book of condolence, both physical in the Anfield Road Stand and online, lowered flags to half-mast and closed all stores and the museum and suspended all tours until Monday. Pic: Peter Byrne/PA Liverpool, who are supporting Jota's family, have opened a book of condolence, both physical in the Anfield Road Stand and online, lowered flags to half-mast and closed all stores and the museum and suspended all tours until Monday. UEFA announced a moment of silence would be observed at Women's Euro 2025 matches on Thursday and Friday, while the 'devastated' Portuguese Football Federation said: 'Diogo Jota was not only a fantastic player…but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his team-mates and opponents. 'We have lost two champions. Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day.' Fans left wreaths, scarves and shirts at a makeshift shrine outside Anfield, with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, attending a conference in Liverpool, among those to lay flowers in person. There were similar scenes outside Molineux. Local police, investigating the accident at 1230am on Thursday in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora, said 'In the absence of a conclusion of the experts' evidence, everything points that a car left the road, due to a tyre blowout while overtaking.' Jota won 49 caps and scored 14 goals for Portugal, last month winning the Nations League for a second time. Diogo won a Premier League, FA Cup and two Carabao Cups with Liverpool, where he signed from Wolves. Pic:International team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo wrote on X: 'It doesn't make sense. Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you had gotten married. 'To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.' Jota scored 65 goals in 182 Liverpool appearances, nine coming last season as Arne Slot's side won the Premier League title, having previously lifted the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. He signed for Wolves, initially on loan, from Atletico Madrid in 2017 and helped win the Championship in his first season, ultimately scoring 44 goals in 131 appearances. Jota's career began at Portuguese side Pacos de Ferreira before moving to Atletico, where he did not play a game but was loaned out to Porto.
