Liverpool legend Ian Rush reveals tragic reason why he had to miss Diogo Jota's funeral despite being invited
Jota, 28, was laid to rest at Gondomar cemetery in Portugal on Saturday after he and his brother, Andre Silva, 25, were killed when their car crashed in the early hours of Thursday morning in northern Spain.
The accident came just 11 days after Jota had married childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso, also 28, who is the mother of his two sons Dinis, four, and Duarte, two as well as his baby daughter Mafalda, who is just eight months old.
The devastating news has left the footballing world in shock and several stars were present at Jota and his brother's funeral on Saturday.
This included the Liverpool team, Reds boss Arne Slot and many of Jota's Portuguese team-mates, such as Ruben Neves, Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva.
However, Ian Rush, Liverpool's all-time leading goalscorer and arguably the club's greatest ever player, was unable to attend and the Welshman has revealed his own tragic reason for this.
'Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre,' Rush's Instagram post began, which was accompanied by a photo of Jota and his brother in Porto kits, along with flowers paying tribute to the Liverpool man.
'At Liverpool we have always regarded ourselves as one big family. Now one of our family has gone, so we all have to join together and help one another. The last few days have shown that.
'I was invited and intended to attend Diogo's funeral, but my brother Gerald had passed away last week, I was in the middle of helping with Gerald's funeral when the news broke about Diogo. It's been an incredibly difficult time, and I just wasn't able to make it.
'He hadn't been well for a while, but like with Diogo, it hasn't really sunk in yet.
'Diogo's wife, Rute, their three wonderful children, his parents, and extended family are enduring an unimaginable loss. This heartbreaking accident claimed both Diogo and his brother, André Silva. We grieve deeply for them both.'
Rush, who is a Liverpool ambassador and is regularly seen at games and club engagements, then went on to pay a touching tribute to Jota.
'Diogo was a great player,' he continued. 'Probably the best natural finisher at the club. He always gave 100 percent. He would make a difference whether he started or came on as a substitute. He would never dominate the headlines and that was the same off the pitch.
'He was a real down to earth person, a real gent. He just got on with things. He will be sadly missed for the special person he was as much as for what he did on a football field for Liverpool and Portugal.'
Several fans and former players sent their well wishes to Rush and praised his touching tribute
Rush also touched upon the grief the Liverpool squad would be experiencing and the challenges they will face when returning to pre-season training and preparing for the new campaign.
He then concluded his heartfelt post by saying: 'Diogo will never be forgotten because he has embraced everything Liverpool.
'Our lad from Portugal. Forever.'
Meanwhile, after Rush had revealed the news of his brother's passing when explaining his absence, several fans and former Liverpool players were quick to send their well wishes to the 63-year-old, while also praising the Welshman's Jota tribute.
This included Robbie Fowler, who said: 'Sorry to hear that news of your brother Tosh... sending you and the family lots of love,' while Robbie Keane added a broken heart and prayer emoji.
One supporter then said: 'Beautiful words Ian. My thoughts are with you and your family on this of your brother. YNWA,' as another added: 'A touching tribute. So sorry for your loss.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
19 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Putellas at the double as rampant Spain hit rain-soaked Belgium for six at Euro 2025
Spain, looking ominously ruthless, continued their rich goalscoring form to reach the knockout stages of the 2025 European Championship as they put six goals past Belgium on a rain-soaked evening in Thun. The world champions were twice pegged back by equalisers, but Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir's side were eventually overpowered and were eliminated by Portugal's 1-1 draw with Italy on Monday night, a result that also ensured Spain's place in the last eight. Spain had scored five times in their opening victory against Portugal last Thursday and went one better in their second outing. This Group B match was being contested in the pretty town of Thun, where surfers love to ride the Aare river, in the centre of the old town, including earlier on Monday afternoon, as the heavy downpours of rain only strengthened the river's force. Each time the surfers fell and were swept downstream, they would swim back upstream, to try their luck again, adjacent to the tournament fan zone. The scene proved rather reminiscent of Belgium trying to resist wave after wave of Spanish attacks in the second half, but it felt as though every time Belgium clawed themselves back into the match, a fresh torrent of Spanish brilliance swept them away again. Alexia Putellas began the relentless scoring when she rounded off a neat team move, after superb play from Vicky López, to clinically tuck the ball home. Justine Vanhaevermaet briefly stunned the pre-tournament favourites as she headed in from a corner, but Spain were soon back in front when Irene Paredes headed in to make it 2-1, towards the end of a first half where Olga Carmona had also driven a powerful strike narrowly wide. The crowd were momentarily sensing a monumental shock might be on the cards, when Hannah Eurlings sprinted in behind Spain's defence and slotted in, but almost immediately after the restart, Esther González met Putellas's outstanding pass to restore Spain's lead and make it 3-2. By this point, the Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí, still returning carefully to full fitness after contracting viral meningitis before the tournament, had been brought on as a half-time substitute and she was showing her usual creativity and style in midfield. Her head coach, Montse Tomé, said: 'Aitana could play but I think we must be patient. According to the medical team, she is fine, but we don't want to risk her. As we have other players who allow us to keep the level. I believe Aitana will be 100%.' Spain were mounting pressure and shortly after the hour Mariona Caldentey tucked in from close range, before a marvellous strike from Clàudia Pina in the 81st minute, curled into the far corner from distance, made it 5-2 with a goal that will undoubtedly be included in the goal‑of-the-tournament shortlist. Putellas said of Pina's strike: 'Her goal was special, as always. Honestly, she's so good, it was a perfect goal, it was impossible to stop it.' Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion Putellas, who was named player of the match, showed her class with a fine finish for her second of the game and Spain's sixth, and Tomé's team continue to look like they will justify their status as favourites. The Barcelona midfielder said: 'The team had an excellent performance. We have room for improvement but the team is feeling fine, we feel comfortable that if something doesn't work, we can change and adapt.' Tomé's side will top Group B if they continue their form against Italy in their final group match, and the head coach was full of praise for Putellas, in particular, adding: 'Alexia has a high performance for the whole team. She thinks collectively. She understands the spaces, she flows, and you see she enjoys it. I'm glad for her and also for the rest of the team.' Gunnarsdóttir, appeared crestfallen by her team's fate but was also proud of their endeavour in attack. Trying to see the bigger picture, the Icelandic coach said: 'When I was hired to coach the team, it was about more than leading the team to the Euros – it was about building a team that can compete regularly against the top teams in Europe. 'I've only been here for five months. I've learned so much. I know I have a lot more to learn [but I] really feel we're going in the right direction. I would never have taken this job if I didn't believe the Red Flames could be a top nation in Europe. 'I walked into the locker room today and I really wanted to cry. I loved seeing my players giving everything they had. I'm going to be happy with a lot of things but it's going to take some time until I get to a point where I see it.'
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Aussie who made soccer history when he came out as gay reveals his huge life change - with a touch of mystery
A-League star Josh Cavallo has revealed he is relocating to the United Kingdom with his fiancé - but his sporting future remains unknown. Cavallo, 25, rose to international prominence in 2021 when he became the first openly gay male footballer actively playing in a top-flight league. At the time, the Adelaide United defender stated he didn't want to feel ashamed about his sexuality and was exhausted after trying to live a 'double life'. Taking to Instagram on Monday, Cavallo told his 1.1 million followers he is looking forward to living in England. 'It's not goodbye forever but now, it's time to leave the nest with my fiancé by my side,' his post began. 'Football and life have taken me further than I ever imagined, and new opportunities have led to a new life waiting for us across the world. Taking to Instagram on Monday, Cavallo (pictured right with Morrell) told his 1.1 million Instagram followers he is looking forward to living in England 'I never imagined that living my truth would unlock doors from the pitch to every corner of my personal life. 'Whether you've followed my journey from the beginning or found strength in it along the way, your presence has meant more than words can ever say. 'Especially to the LGBTQ+ community, you are the reason I never gave up. 'You helped me see that I wasn't alone and that none of us are. For the boy who once looked in the mirror and questioned why he was different, this is proof that you can find your place in this world.' The first professional player to come out while still playing was Britain's Justin Fashanu in 1990, but he never found acceptance in the game and tragically took his own life in 1998. Once he made his announcement, Cavallo received support on social media from the likes of Matildas skipper Sam Kerr, ex-Barcelona defender Gerard Pique and former England striker Gary Lineker. He also labelled the support from Adelaide United teammates and officials 'immense', before adding he wanted to be a positive role model for gay footballers. 'It's OK to be gay and play football - I want to show all the other people who are struggling and are scared,' Cavallo said. The left back came through the youth ranks at Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City before securing an A-League move to Western United in 2019. He played 10 matches for the Green and Black before signing a short contract with Adelaide United in 2021. In May, Adelaide United confirmed Cavallo was departing the club, labelling their former star a 'symbol of courage, authenticity and positive change.' Daily Mail Australia reached out to Cavallo and Wax - who manage the athlete - regarding any potential football opportunities abroad.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Jennifer Aniston sparks romance rumors with handsome hypnotist as they vacation together in Mallorca
After years of romantic woes, Jennifer Aniston might have turned to an unconventional new method to find love. The Friends actress, 56, who has endured high-profile splits from husbands Brad Pitt and Justin Theroux, sparked romance rumors with handsome life coach and love 'guru' Jim Curtis as they jetted into Mallorca together for the Fourth of July weekend.
