Devastated Arne Slot says Liverpool will sing Diogo Jota's song and never forget star as managers & players pay tribute
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DEVASTATED Liverpool manager Arne Slot said the club will sing tragic Diogo Jota's song and vowed the unique player will never be forgotten.
The club boss said he wished he had the words 'but know I do not' to pay tribute after the star's death in a car crash early yesterday.
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Liverpool fans leave tributes for deceased star Diogo Jota
Credit: PA
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Liverpool manager Arne Slot said the club will sing tragic Diogo Jota's song and vowed the unique player will never be forgotten
Credit: Getty
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Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he was heartbroken by the death of his 'great friend'
Credit: Alamy
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It came as former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he was heartbroken by the death of his 'great friend' and posted a photo of the pair hugging on the pitch,
He wrote on social media: 'This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can't see it!'
FA Patron Prince William also mourned the deaths of the 28-year-old player and his brother André, 26, saying: 'As part of the footballing family, I am deeply saddened.
'Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him.'
READ MORE ON DIOGO JOTA
STAR LOST Liverpool stars and manager Arne Slot pay tribute with funeral to start on Friday
In a statement issued by the club, Slot revealed his last conversation with Diogo was to congratulate him on winning the Nations League, and wish him luck for his wedding.
He said it had been a 'dream summer' for the player.
He said Jota summed up the essence of a Liverpool player, with 'hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, goals'.
And he vowed: '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.'
And referencing the song fans sang from the stands for the star, he finished his statement: 'His name is Diogo.'
Slot said when he first joined the club last year he realised fans 'had such a unique chant for Diogo, he must have special qualities'.
'Profound loss and shock' - Martin Lipton on death of Liverpool star Diogo Jota dies aged 28 in tragic car crash
He described him as 'a person who never sought popularity but found it anyway'.
Jurgen Klopp signed Jota from Wolves in September 2020, and the pair became very close.
Jurgen said: 'I'm heartbroken. Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father! We will miss you so much!'
Tributes from around the world, across sport and politics, poured in for the Liverpool forward and his brother, who was also a footballer.
I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you
Jota's Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo
Flowers, scarves and messages were laid outside Anfield stadium, where flags flew at half mast, with fans in floods of tears paying their respects.
Jota's Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo said his pal's tragic death 'doesn't make any sense'.
What we know so far:
He shared a black and white photo of Jota and said: 'Just now we were together in the national team, just now you got 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 André. We will all miss you.'
England and ex-Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold said: '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 Portuguese national team said they are devastated, adding Jota was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the team, but also an extraordinary person.
Diogo's former club, FC Porto, said it is in mourning. André was also a youth player there.
The Premier League described Jota — who won the competition earlier this year — as a 'champion who will be forever missed'.
Uefa said its thoughts were with those affected 'by this heartbreaking loss'.
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The Liverpool flag flies at half-mast outside Anfield
Credit: PA
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Fans of rival club Everton have also laid tributes at Anfield
Credit: PA
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Wreckage from the tragic crash
It said a silence will be observed at Women's Euro 2025 matches yesterday and today.
Ex-Liverpool star and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher said he was 'absolutely devastated' and Liverpool's Premier League opener against Bournemouth on August 15 will be an 'outpouring of emotion'.
An excellent colleague, friend, and above all, a great father. Thanks for everything, my friend. We'll always remember you. A hug to heaven. R.I.P
Ex-Wolves forward Raul Jimenez
He said: 'In a state of shock. It's so sad and devastating for his wife and three wonderful children.'
Jota's Portugal and former Wolves team-mate Ruben Neves, said: 'They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you.'
Ex-Wolves forward Raul Jimenez paid tribute, adding: 'An excellent colleague, friend, and above all, a great father. Thanks for everything, my friend. We'll always remember you. A hug to heaven. R.I.P.'
Wolves said he will be 'missed and always remembered'.
England's Jude Bellingham sent 'love and strength' to the star's family.
Comedian and Liverpool fan John Bishop described the news as heartbreaking.
US basketball star LeBron James, a part-owner of Liverpool, wrote on X: 'My prayers go out to his loved ones during this time! May you all be guided and protected! YNWA [You'll Never Walk Alone] JOTA!!'
Manchester City ace Jack Grealish posted a picture of the forward, adding: 'Honestly lost for words. So heartbreaking.'
Yesterday, Liverpool fans stood in stunned silence outside Anfield.
Many hugged each other in disbelief as they tried to come to terms with the tragedy.
Deputy PM Angela Rayner, arrived to lay flowers, saying: 'I'm absolutely devastated for his wife, his children and his family. Just seeing the outpouring across the whole of the city is incredible.'
Manchester United fan Joe Parsons laid his club scarf at the memorial when he visited with wife Kelly, a Liverpool fan.
Joe, 40, said: 'After I put the scarf down, it was amazing how many Liverpool fans shook my hand.
'This isn't about club rivalry. I had to show my respects. It's a loss to the whole city. I live in the city.
'I've seen tributes from Everton and Rangers too. It's the football community coming together.'
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Prince William paid tribute to Diogo and his brother
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Wolves released a statement following the star's death
Credit: instagram
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Jude Bellingham's tribute to Diogo Jota
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Trent Alexander Arnold's tribute to Diogo on social media
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Liverpool fan John Bishop's tribute to Jota
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Former Reds defender Carragher's Jota tribute
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Sky News
22 minutes ago
- Sky News
Diogo Jota: Liverpool stars to attend funeral for footballer and his brother
Several Liverpool FC players are expected to attend the funeral for Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in Portugal on Saturday. The 28-year-old Portugal international and his brother died in a crash in Zamora, northwestern Spain, at around 12.30am local time on Thursday when the Lamborghini the pair were travelling in veered off the road. The Spanish authorities said their car left the road due to a tyre blowout while overtaking another vehicle, while a Spanish government source told the PA news agency that the crash was being investigated as a "possible speeding incident". The crash took place just 11 days after Mr Jota 's wedding to his long-term partner Rute Cordoso, with whom he had three children. 0:59 Their bodies were repatriated to Portugal after being identified by the family, Spanish government officials said. The brothers' funeral is scheduled for 10am, according to officials in their hometown of Gondomar. It is set to be held at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar church. Liverpool FC players, most of whom are still on summer holiday, are expected to attend, after it is believed the club chartered a flight to Portugal, according to local media. Liverpool has not confirmed any arrangements. 1:32 Emotional attendees at wake The club's executives and backroom staff, including CEO Billy Hogan, technical director Julian Ward and sporting director Richard Hughes, also attended a wake for Mr Jota and Mr Silva, held in a chapel next to the Gondomar church on Friday. The wake was initially private and attended by the brothers' families, including Mr Jota's wife, but was later opened up to the public, with hundreds queuing outside the chapel to pay their respects. Among the attendees was former Chelsea and Spurs boss Andre Villa-Boas, who is now the president of Portuguese club Porto, where Mr Silva played at youth level. "There's nothing that can overcome the pain of the family," Villa-Boas told Sky News sports correspondent Rob Harris outside the wake. "To a father, to a mother, it's unbearable." Mr Villa-Boas said Mr Jota and Mr Silva were perfect examples of "what a professional [footballer] should be". Addressing the outpouring of tributes from the brothers' local community, he added: "This is something those two boys deserve." Nottingham Forest's Jota Silva, born in Gondomar, and Jota's former Wolves and Portugal team-mate Joao Moutinho were also among the mourners, with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation Pedro Proenca and Porto president Andre Villas-Boas also visiting. The country's president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and prime minister Luis Montenegro also attended the wake. 1:34 Tearful tributes at Liverpool stadium At Anfield, fans left flowers, shirts, scarves and cards at a temporary shrine for Mr Jota. A tearful former Liverpool captain and team-mate, Jordan Henderson, laid down flowers on Friday and signed a book of condolence. In a tribute on Instagram, Mr Henderson said Mr Jota was "a pleasure to be around" and share a pitch as well as friendship with, adding: "I know how much Rute and your family meant to you and I know you will always be looking down on them. Thank you for everything you brought into this world, we will all miss you." Liverpool FC said they are "devastated" by Mr Jota's "tragic passing", while the Portuguese national team said the country is "completely devastated". Liverpool manager Arne Slot said "I wish I had the words but I know I do not" and insisted Mr Jota "will never be forgotten", while former manager Jurgen Klopp said he was "heartbroken" by the news, adding "there must be a bigger purpose, but I can't see it". Mohamed Salah, Liverpool's star forward who has joined fellow teammates in paying tribute to Mr Jota, said he was dreading returning to the club in the wake of his death. Some players were set to start preliminaries of pre-season testing on Friday, but the first part of a phased return was postponed following the tragedy. 1:13 "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," Salah wrote on social media. "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."
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Saturday's briefing: Saying goodbye to Diogo Jota and England start Euros
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is facing a court appearance after being charged with five counts of rape. Mourners pay respects to Diogo Jota The funeral of Liverpool striker Diogo Jota and his younger brother Andre Silva will take place in Portugal on Saturday morning. Mourners will gather to pay their respects to the two men at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar at 10am a day after a wake was held at the nearby Capela da Ressurreicao. Jota, 28, and his 26-year-old brother died in a car crash in Zamora, Spain, in the early hours of Thursday morning. Their deaths prompted an outpouring of sympathy for Jota's wife Rute, who he married less than two weeks ago, their three children and the wider family from the football world and beyond. Lioness Leah raring to go England skipper Leah Williamson is relishing the prospect of another finals campaign (Nick Potts/PA) England captain Leah Williamson revealed she finally felt free to let go of 'anxiety' on the eve of the Lionesses' European Championship opener against France in Zurich. The Arsenal defender, who famously lifted the trophy in 2022, was forced to miss England's first run to a Women's World Cup final two summers ago in Australia after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury. 'I've probably held some anxiety, I suppose, up until this moment,' said Williamson, when asked if missing the World Cup and her recovery had given her a new appreciation for this opportunity. 'I wanted to experience another tournament for England, and being away from home is special. It's a bit different to England in 2022, so I'm just taking everything in. I'm very excited. Obviously so much has changed, so I'm intrigued to come back and enjoy that tournament football.' The time has come for Wales Head coach Rhian Wilkinson is confident Wales are ready for their Euro 2025 bow (Nick Potts/PA) Rhian Wilkinson is confident Wales are ready for their 'watershed moment' on a first major tournament stage at Euro 2025. While few expect Wales, who kick off their campaign against the Netherlands in Lucerne on Saturday evening as the lowest ranked team in the competition, to progress from a daunting group which also includes England and France, Wilkinson believes the game has changed in the country forever. Speaking at her pre-match press conference, she said: 'This is a wonderful team, great people, fantastic footballers, and we're going to be tested against some of the best in the world. 'That's what we've been wanting. To showcase Wales as a country, this team and their talent.' Thomas Partey charged Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with rape (Mike Egerton/PA) Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with raping two women. The Metropolitan Police said the Ghana international, whose contract at the Emirates Stadium expired on June 30, faces five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault following alleged offences between 2021 and 2022. Partey's lawyer Jenny Wiltshire said he 'denies all the charges against him', adding: 'He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.' The player, who is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on August 5, is accused of two counts of rape against one woman and three counts of rape against another. The sexual assault allegation relates to a third woman, police added. What's on today? England launch their defence of the European Championship title against France (Danny Lawson/PA) European champions England launch their defence with a tough Group D opener against France in Zurich. Debutants and group rivals Wales also get under way when they face the Netherlands in Lucerne looking to gain a foothold in the competition. At the Club World Cup, Champions League winners Paris St Germain go head-to-head with Bayern Munich in Atlanta with a semi-final against either Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund, who meet at the MetLife Stadium, at stake.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Saturday's briefing: Saying goodbye to Diogo Jota and England start Euros
Football will briefly take a back seat on Saturday as Diogo Jota and Andre Silva's family and friends gather to celebrate their lives. On the pitch, England and Wales both launch their Euro 2025 campaigns in Switzerland with the defending champions in action after Rhian Wilkinson's finals first-timers. Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is facing a court appearance after being charged with five counts of rape. Mourners pay respects to Diogo Jota The funeral of Liverpool striker Diogo Jota and his younger brother Andre Silva will take place in Portugal on Saturday morning. Mourners will gather to pay their respects to the two men at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar at 10am a day after a wake was held at the nearby Capela da Ressurreicao. Jota, 28, and his 26-year-old brother died in a car crash in Zamora, Spain, in the early hours of Thursday morning. Their deaths prompted an outpouring of sympathy for Jota's wife Rute, who he married less than two weeks ago, their three children and the wider family from the football world and beyond. Lioness Leah raring to go England captain Leah Williamson revealed she finally felt free to let go of 'anxiety' on the eve of the Lionesses' European Championship opener against France in Zurich. The Arsenal defender, who famously lifted the trophy in 2022, was forced to miss England's first run to a Women's World Cup final two summers ago in Australia after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury. 'I've probably held some anxiety, I suppose, up until this moment,' said Williamson, when asked if missing the World Cup and her recovery had given her a new appreciation for this opportunity. 'I wanted to experience another tournament for England, and being away from home is special. It's a bit different to England in 2022, so I'm just taking everything in. I'm very excited. Obviously so much has changed, so I'm intrigued to come back and enjoy that tournament football.' The time has come for Wales Rhian Wilkinson is confident Wales are ready for their 'watershed moment' on a first major tournament stage at Euro 2025. While few expect Wales, who kick off their campaign against the Netherlands in Lucerne on Saturday evening as the lowest ranked team in the competition, to progress from a daunting group which also includes England and France, Wilkinson believes the game has changed in the country forever. Speaking at her pre-match press conference, she said: 'This is a wonderful team, great people, fantastic footballers, and we're going to be tested against some of the best in the world. 'That's what we've been wanting. To showcase Wales as a country, this team and their talent.' Thomas Partey charged Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with raping two women. The Metropolitan Police said the Ghana international, whose contract at the Emirates Stadium expired on June 30, faces five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault following alleged offences between 2021 and 2022. Partey's lawyer Jenny Wiltshire said he 'denies all the charges against him', adding: 'He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.' The player, who is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on August 5, is accused of two counts of rape against one woman and three counts of rape against another. The sexual assault allegation relates to a third woman, police added. What's on today? European champions England launch their defence with a tough Group D opener against France in Zurich. Debutants and group rivals Wales also get under way when they face the Netherlands in Lucerne looking to gain a foothold in the competition. At the Club World Cup, Champions League winners Paris St Germain go head-to-head with Bayern Munich in Atlanta with a semi-final against either Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund, who meet at the MetLife Stadium, at stake.
