Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson fights back tears as he pays his respects to Diogo Jota at Anfield after his death at 28
The pair played alongside one another for three seasons at Merseyside following Jota's arrival from Wolves in 2020.
On Friday, Henderson - now playing for Dutch giants Ajax - made the trip to Anfield to pay his respects to his former colleague after his tragic death. The veteran midfielder, fighting back tears, looked distraught as he joined the legions of Liverpool fans that have paid tribute to the 28-year-old.
The England international left a heartfelt note to his former team-mate in the bouquet he brought to the site, reading: 'Rest in peace my friend, along with your brother Andre. We will all miss you. Love Hendo + family.'
Jota died alongside his brother when his Lamborghini had a tyre blow out while overtaking another vehicle on the A-52 at Cernadilla near Zamora - just ten miles over the border from Portugal.
The car is said to have rolled and burst into flames, with emergency services unable to save the footballing duo. Jota's brother, Andre Silva, 26, played for Portuguese second division side Penafiel.
Jota and Silva were headed to Santander to catch a ferry to Britain after Diogo was advised not to fly following lung surgery, it was reported in his home country.
His death, which cast clouds of sorrow over the footballing world, came just two weeks after he married his girlfriend and mother of their three kids Rute Cardoso in Porto, his home city.
Henderson paid tribute to Jota on social media shortly after news of his death was announced. His emotional posts reminisced on their joyful period on Merseyside where they built a friendship.
Current Reds skipper Virgil van Dijk promised to always be available for his family in a moving statement saying he was 'absolutely devastated and in total disbelief' to lose his team-mate of five years.
'What a human being, what a player, but most importantly what an unbelievable family man,' Van Dijk wrote on Instagram.
'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 & Andre.'
Elsewhere, Liverpool defender Andy Robertson, who forged an incredible connection with the forward during their five years together at Anfield and was also present at Jota's wedding almost two weeks ago, wrote: '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.
'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. We used to joke he was really Irish… I'd try to claim him as Scottish, obviously. I even called him Diogo MacJota.
'We'd watch the darts together, enjoy the horse racing. Going to Cheltenham this season was a highlight - one of the best we had. The last time I saw him was the happiest day of his life – his wedding day. I want to remember his never-ceasing smile from that magical day. How much he was bursting with love for his wife and family.
'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. Love you, Diogo.'
Jota's untimely death sent shockwaves through the footballing world on Thursday. Throughout the day, back in Liverpool, fans gathered in their hundreds to lay and pay their own tributes to the 28-year-old.
Jota played 182 games for Liverpool and was part of the Premier League title-winning squad from last season under Arne Slot.
One group of fans gathered to sing Liverpool's traditional 'You'll Never Walk Alone' song, aiming it at the forward, while another striking image showed two men - one in a Liverpool shirt and one an Everton shirt - walking with flowers to lay them down.
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Reuters
6 minutes ago
- Reuters
Liverpool's Jota mourned by family and local people at hometown wake
GONDOMAR, Portugal July 4 (Reuters) - Hundreds of residents of Gondomar in northern Portugal filed past the bodies of former Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva at a chapel in their hometown on Friday, after their deaths in a car crash in Spain. At an earlier private wake, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, FC Porto President Andre Villas-Boas, Portuguese Football Federation President Pedro Proenca and Jota's longtime agent Jorge Mendes joined the brothers' family including Jota's wife Rute Cardoso, who had married the footballer just weeks earlier. "It is a moment of great pain for the family, who are left anchored to this tragic accident," Proenca said as he left the wake. "Diogo was an icon for the talent that Portuguese football represents and for its ability to generate unity around a person." The brothers were believed to be driving to a ferry in Spain to travel to the UK when their Lamborghini veered off the road and burst into flames after midnight on Thursday. Police said they suspected a tyre had burst. Silva was also a footballer, with Penafiel in the Portuguese second division. Their funeral is expected to take place on Saturday at a nearby church at 10 a.m. local time (0800 GMT), the office of Gondomar's mayor said. The death of forward Jota at the age of 28 has jolted the world of football, with tributes pouring in from former teammates, clubs, national leaders and fans. "Diogo was a silent hero for everything he represented on and off the pitch," Villas-Boas said as he left the wake. "These are tragic days, days for reflection, and may the memory of these two athletes, these two great men, live on," the former Chelsea manager added. Outside Liverpool's Anfield stadium fans left flowers, scarves and handwritten notes, many from children. "I never thought there would be something that would frighten me off going back to Liverpool after the (summer) break," Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah said on Instagram. "Teammates 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," he added. Football clubs including Paris St Germain -- who have several Portugal internationals in their squad -- Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Real Madrid observed a moment of silence during training for their matches at the Club World Cup in the United States. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said on Thursday that forward Pedro Neto was weighing up whether to play in Friday's quarter-final against Palmeiras, as the Portuguese international mourned the tragic death of his close friend. Jota's manager at Liverpool, Arne Slot, said in a statement on Thursday that his thoughts were with his family. "My message to them is very clear – you will never walk alone," Slot said, using the words of the team's anthem. "For us as a club, the sense of shock is absolute. 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," the Dutchman added. In Gondomar, a town of about 160,000 people in the Porto metropolitan area that is known for artisanal gold and filigree jewellery, residents were struggling to come to terms with the sudden death of a local hero. At the Diogo Jota Academy in Gondomar – whose motto is "It's not important where we come from, but where we are going" – people placed candles and flowers, as well as scarves and shirts from the clubs he played for and from the Portuguese national team in tribute to the player. Jota opened the academy in 2022 for children aged six to nine at the Gondomar Football Club where he himself played for 10 years as a child. It was at Gondomar's high school that he met his wife. They began dating aged 15 when in the same class and she became a pillar in his life. When they were 19, they moved to Madrid together, when Jota was transferred from the small Portuguese club Pacos de Ferreira to Atletico Madrid. "Besides being his girlfriend and best friend, I'm his number one fan," Cardoso told the newspaper 'A Bola' at the time. Jota was making his way back to Liverpool by car after he was told he should avoid plane travel for up to six weeks following lung surgery to address a fractured rib, his physiotherapist Miguel Goncalves told broadcaster Now late on Thursday. Goncalves said Jota was recovering well from the pneumothorax surgery and that he had planned to take a ferry to the UK from Spain.
Daily Mirror
8 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool bosses mourn at Diogo Jota wake with Premier League stars & team-mates
Mourners from far and wide have been congregating in the town of Gondomar, at the Capela da Ressurreicao, to pay tribute and show their affections for Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his younger brother Andre Silva, following their tragic deaths Sporting director Richard Hughes and Fenway Sports' CEO of Football Michael Edwards led a Liverpool delegation in paying tribute to Diogo Jota at his wake in Portugal on Friday night. Former Kop stars Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho, as well as Manchester United's Diogo Dalot - an international team-mate of Jota - also attended the Capela da Ressurreicao in Gondomar, the tragic striker's home town. The world of football has been in mourning following the death of Jota and his younger brother, Andre Silva, on Thursday. The pair both lost their lives following a car crash near Zamora, close to Spain's north-west border with Portugal. The tragic incident occurred just days after Jota's marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso. Mourners gathered at a wake in Portugal on Friday morning, ahead of the brothers' funeral at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme at 10am on Saturday. Initially held in private for family it was later opened up to the public with hundreds queuing around the 17th-century church. Liverpool are preparing to bid an emotional farewell to Jota and his brother at the funeral on Saturday. Liverpool have yet to confirm arrangements but a number of players are expected to attend. Former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager, Andre Villas-Boas, now the president of Porto, was among those who attended the church to pay the club's respects. Speaking afterwards he said: 'They left behind a lot of history. Diogo has a history in the senior team and André has many years from the children's team to the under-19s. 'Diogo, especially as a major public figure, was a silent hero. We all appreciated everything he represented, not only on the field, but also off it. He was a partner of FC Porto with its Esports team. Someone who will be well remembered, just like his brother. 'Let us hope that the memory of these two athletes, two great men, will live on in time.' Nottingham Forest's Jota Silva, born in Gondomar, and Jota's former Wolves and Portugal team-mate Joao Moutinho were among those to attend the chapel, along with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation Pedro Proenca and super agent Jorge Mendes, who broke down in tears outside the venue. A delegation from Paços de Ferreira, Jota's first club, laid a yellow wreath The country's president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and prime minister Luis Montenegro both attended in person, while members of the Portuguese parliament paid tribute to the two brothers too. Mohamed Salah, one of the last Liverpool players to share his grief on social media, admitted he was dreading returning to the club in the wake of Jota's shock death. Some players were due back on Friday to begin the preliminaries of pre-season testing but the first tranche of a phased return was postponed as everyone at the club continues to try to come to terms with the tragedy. '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. '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 Andre need all the support they can get. They will never be forgotten.' Diogo Jota's wedding caterer has also paid tribute to the star and told how he saw him at his happiest on the day of the nuptials. Rui Paula, who has two michelin stars, said: 'The last time I saw him was at the wedding. On the last day, he had a meal with Rute (his wife) and the children, and then got in the car to go to Liverpool. His wife was supposed to follow today, Friday, with the children. 'The wedding was all organised, very beautiful. I did the catering, there was a band playing, he was happy. The wedding was at the Igreja da Lapa, in Porto, and the catering was in Marco de Canaveses. He arrived and asked me to prepare him something to eat because he was hungry, as the wedding had been delayed. But when I went to Liverpool for the menu tasting, for the wedding, he was also happy. "At the wedding he was super happy. At a wedding there's always some worry and anxiety, but he was very happy, completely happy. They met very young, had three children, lived in Liverpool, and that's where I got to know them better. "What I feel is that they are all humble people; fame hasn't gone to their heads, they're impeccable people, and Diogo was a simple, professional, dedicated, gentle, kind young man - everything you could wish for in a good person. This is a huge tragedy, because just think, his parents have lost two children, and his wife is left with three little ones. They had only been married for 15 days on Sunday. 'All of Portugal is shaken - I can't remember seeing people so affected, so sad. His character was that of a good person, even if you didn't know him, you could look at him and see he was a good person. Low profile, grounded, didn't flaunt his wealth, he was an impeccable young man. May God rest his soul. 'On the pitch he was a professional, but off the pitch he was even better. 'I just want to say, these moments are so painful, so intense… this is a tragedy, isn't it? And so, what I wish for the family is a lot of strength. If there's any purpose to this happening? I don't know if there is. Hold on to faith as well, because it's very hard for a parent to lose two children and for Rute to be left with three children on her own. "They have to be strong people, try to carry this in as light a way as possible. Because the pain of this tragedy will be immense. "I wish them a lot of strength, a lot of love, and that they stay united to steer this ship to a safe harbour, because it will be a heavy ship. And I want to say that Diogo Jota was an absolutely wonderful person.'
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Liverpool prepare for emotional farewell at Diogo Jota funeral
The club, as well as fans and football as a whole, are in mourning after the 28-year-old Portugal international and his brother Andre Silva were killed in a car crash in Spain in the early hours of Thursday. Mohamed Salah, one of the last players to share his grief on social media, admitted he was dreading returning to the club in the wake of Jota's shock death. 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… — Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) July 4, 2025 Some players were due back on Friday to begin the preliminaries of pre-season testing but the first tranche of a phased return was postponed as everyone at the club continues to try to come to terms with the tragedy. '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. '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 Andre need all the support they can get. They will never be forgotten.' It is believed a flight to Portugal has been chartered by the club. Reports in Portugal say the players, most of whom are still on summer holiday, are expected to attend but Liverpool have yet to confirm arrangements. Mourners gathered at a wake in Portugal on Friday morning, ahead of the brothers' funeral at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme at 10am on Saturday. Initially held in private for family – Jota leaves a newly-married wife Rute and three young children – it was later opened up to the public with hundreds queuing around the 17th-century church. Nottingham Forest's Jota Silva, born in Gondomar, and Jota's former Wolves and Portugal team-mate Joao Moutinho were among those to attend the chapel, 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 both attended in person, while members of the Portuguese parliament paid tribute to the two brothers. At Anfield, where a temporary shrine has built up, thousands have left flowers, shirts, scarves and cards. A tearful former Liverpool captain and team-mate Jordan Henderson was among those present on Friday, laying flowers and taking a moment to read some of the tributes after signing a book of condolence available in the Anfield Road stand. 'Jots it was a pleasure to share a pitch with you but more importantly a friendship. All the laughs we had off the pitch and trying to find ways to wind milly (James Milner) up and get him fined, which we never could,' the England midfielder wrote on Instagram. 'Taking pictures of me asleep on the bus travelling then sending them to me later. You always wanted to have a laugh and were a pleasure to be around. '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.' An Everton delegation comprising Portugal-born strikers Beto and Youssef Chermiti and former midfielder Ian Snodin also attended Anfield to pay their respects and lay wreaths.
