Al-Hilal has to go on without their star footballer Diogo Jota in the quarter-final of the FIFA Club World Cup against Fluminense
How to go on without someone? How to do the same thing every day without someone? How to play football when a favorite teammate is not there? The thoughts crossing over Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves' minds right now cannot be put to words.
They lost their favorite teammate, closest comrade, and truest friend -
Diogo Jota
.
On July 3, Jota, along with his brother, Andre Silva, died a horrific death when their Lamborghini veered off and burst into flames. Al Hilal's Diogo Jota was scheduled to play against Brazilian side Fluminense in the quarter-final of the FIFA Club World Cup on Friday, July 4, at 3:00 pm ET. Now, his team has to go on without their star footballer.
Al Hilal Saudi Club
pays tribute to their star footballer Diogo Jota through their official X account
On July 3, the official X account of Al Hilal Saudi Club wrote on their X: 'Everyone at Al-Hilal is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva. The club sends our heartfelt condolences to their family, friends, and everyone connected to their football clubs.' They shared a photo of Diogo Jota and Ruben Neves holding the trophy from the 2025 UEFA Nations League.
An X user commented on it, 'The decision to participate in tomorrow's match is in your hands, Robben. We know that the board gave you and Cancelo the freedom to choose out of respect for the current situation following Jota's death. If you play the match, it is a sign of loyalty, and if you don't, we, as Al-Hilal fans, appreciate that. 🙏🏻💙 @rubendsneves_'
'We tried to work, but the atmosphere was different,' said
Al Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi
Al Hilal coach Simon Inzaghi shared with Rob Dawson of ESPN, 'We all know it's a sad day because of what happened to Diogo and Andre.
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Undo
These things should never happen. We are all aware of the tragedy. We have two Portuguese players - Ruben Neves and (Joao)Cancelo - who were friends with them. Today has been a very difficult day for all of us. We tried to work in the same way, but the atmosphere was different. It's a very, very sad tragedy.
Al Hilal fullback Moteb Al Alharbi shared with A.K.S. Satish, Sports Editor at Gulf News, 'From the moment we woke up today, we were shocked by the news.
They are teammates of his, and we all felt the sadness, but we were around them. I also believe they will be ready, although they've had this shocking news.' Al Hilal Saudi Club's winger Khalid Al Ghannam shared, 'They were not at their best emotionally, but I believe they will be focused for the game.
'
'Today, we all woke up in shock,' posted Joao Cancelo on his social media account
Joao Cancelo posted on his social media, 'Today, we didn't just wake up without two players. Today, three children woke up without their father. Today, a mother and a father woke up without their two sons. Today, a wife woke up without her husband by her side. Today, we all woke up in shock.'
With a heavy heart, teary eyes, and lost willpower, late Diogo Jota's favorite pals, Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves, may take on the football field against Fluminense. Or they may not. Only time will tell.
Also Read:
'But I'm the lucky one,' was Liverpool star Diogo Jota's last comment on his wife Rute Cardoso's Instagram wedding photoshoot
For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the
India vs England Test match here
.
Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
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