‘A player you didn't want to play against': Liverpool's Irish fans in shock at tragic death of Diogo Jota
Aldridge said he was 'absolutely devastated' at the death of Jota who was killed alongside his brother Andre Silva, a fellow professional footballer, when their car left the road in the north-western Spanish province of Zamora.
The football world has been stunned by the death of the Portuguese international, who scored 65 goals in 182 games for Liverpool and 14 in 49 for the Portuguese national team.
Jota has endeared himself to Liverpool fans since joining the club in 2020.
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'I can't say the way I feel at the moment I can't get my head around it! It's like a part of my family has passed away,' Aldridge posted on X.
'Absolutely gutted all our thoughts are with the family YNWA,' he added, referring to the anthem of the club's supporters, You'll Never Walk Along.
Diogo Jota joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020, going on to make 182 appearances for the club. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA Wire
Former Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill said he was 'incredibly shocked to hear the awful news about Diogo Jota and his brother Andre'. He added: 'Jota was a phenomenal talent in the prime of his career. Condolences to his family at this tragic time."
I can't say the way I feel at the moment I can't get my head around it!it's like apart of my family has passed away,
Absolutely gutted all our thoughts are with the family
YNWA❤️🙏
— John Aldridge (@Realaldo474)
Prior to joining Liverpool, Jota spent two seasons at Wolverhampton Wanderers where he scored 44 goals in 131 appearances.
His former teammate, Republic of Ireland international Matt Doherty, posted on his Instagram account: 'Can't believe this. What a special player and person. Distraught for all your family and friends.'
There are 33 official Liverpool FC supporters clubs in Ireland recognised by the club.
Fans expressed their shock at Jota's death on the Facebook pages.
The Irish Liverpool supporters posted: 'RIP: Diogo Jota, the 28‑year‑old Liverpool and Portugal forward, has tragically died in a car accident near Zamora, Spain, alongside his brother Andre.
'Our thoughts are with his family, friends, teammates, and the entire football community.'
Another supporters club, Liverpool Supporters Galway YNWA, posted: 'Absolutely heartbreaking and shocking news. Our thoughts are with their family and loved ones.'
Jonathan Smith, a member of the You'll Never Walk Alone Liverpool Irish supporters club, told RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne programme that he could not believe the tragic news.
'I'm in total shock. He was a terrier. He was the player you didn't want to play against. He'd get himself injured as he'd put his head and leg in where it shouldn't be,' he said.
'It's absolutely tragic to talk about him in the past tense. Jurgen Klopp knew Jota would give everything. He knew he would hound players. He'll be remembered for his smile. He's a tragic loss.'
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Irish Daily Mirror
26 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Diogo Jota and brother's bodies arrive at church as mourners gather
Irish football fans are in mourning after the tragic passing of Liverpool's star Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who died in a horrific car accident in Spain on Thursday. Their bodies were escorted to a church, in Jota's hometown of Gondomar near Porto, amidst a crowd of sorrowful mourners ahead of this weekend's funerals. Emergency teams arrived promptly at the scene but tragically could not save the brothers from the fiery wreckage. Tributes have been flooding in from all corners of the soccer community since the tragic news was confirmed. Liverpool issued an array of moving tributes, while colleagues and former teammates expressed their profound sympathies. Meanwhile, plans are being drawn up for an official send-off for the pair. On Thursday night, hearses delivered their bodies to the church, where early mourners had already congregated to honour the pair, with more expected on Friday. Rev. Jose Manuel Macedo confirmed the scheduling of a private wake in the town on Friday starting at 8am in Capela de Ressurreicao, and a funeral service on Saturday at 10am at the local Igreja Matriz catholic church, reports the Mirror. "We're available to celebrate [their life] with everyone and to share the pain and the Christian hope," stated Macedo in comments to CNN. Jota's agent, Jorge Mendes, was among those who accompanied the star's mother at the funeral home. Overcome with emotion, he said: "We lost two great people. Diogo is an example as a person, husband, son, professional. I still can't believe it, it's very difficult." The funerals of both men is scheduled to take place just half an hour away from Porto, Portugal. This is also where the 28 year old footballer married Rute Cardoso just a fortnight ago. Ahead of the wake, Gondomar Town Hall released a statement expressing their deepest condolences: "Gondomar Town Hall expresses its deepest sympathy at the death of international footballer Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, illustrious Gondomar residents who left prematurely, leaving behind a remarkable sporting career and an example of dedication and professionalism. "Throughout his career, Diogo Jota stood out for his footballing talent and for the committed way in which he always represented the region and the country, winning national and international recognition. "At this time of sorrow and consternation, Gondomar Town Hall extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of these two Gondomar residents. "In tribute, the Mayor of Gondomar, Luis Filipe Araujo, has decreed by official order a day of municipal mourning to be observed this Friday, 4 July. During this period, the municipal flag will be flown at half-mast in all municipal buildings and facilities." Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother were driving to catch a ferry from Santander back to the UK after being advised by doctors not to fly, however they never made it to their destination after being involved in the tragic accident. The Reds are set to return for pre-season testing on Monday, but will instead pay tribute to their star, as confirmed by Liverpool boss Arne Slot in an emotional statement. He said: "The last time we spoke, I congratulated Diogo on winning the Nations League and wished him luck for his forthcoming 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. "When I first came to the club, one of the first songs I got to know was the one that our fans sing for Diogo. I had not worked with him previously but I knew straight away that if the Liverpool supporters, who have seen so many great players over the years, had such a unique chant for Diogo, he must have special qualities. "That we have lost those qualities in such terrible circumstances is something we have not yet come to terms with. For this reason, we need everyone at the club to stand together and to be there for one another. We owe this to Diogo, to Andre Silva, to their wider family and to ourselves." Tributes have flooded in from players, supporters and clubs across the country, after news of his tragic death. "My condolences go to Diogo's wife, Rute, their three beautiful children and to the parents of Diogo and Andre Silva. "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. ". As a mark of respect, flags were lowered to half-mast at both Anfield and Molineux, while fans flocked to the grounds to pay their respects with flowers, scarves and other poignant gestures.
Irish Daily Mirror
41 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Diogo Jota's best friend at Liverpool shares wedding day memory in tribute
Ex-Liverpool shot-stopper Caoimhin Kelleher has shared an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota following the heartbreaking news of his sudden death. The pair, who had been teammates for half a decade at Anfield, were quite close, with Jota even considering Kelleher as one of his nearest mates in Merseyside. They were travelling in a Lamborghini near Zamora in Spain when it veered off the road and burst into flames, killing both before emergency services arrived. Figures in the sport from across the world have paid tribute to the Premier League champion. And now Kelleher, who attended Jota's wedding to wife Rute Cardoso less than a fortnight prior to his death, has penned his own heartfelt message to his late former team-mate. "Jots. Can't believe I'm writing this right now and I'm finding it hard to put into words," read the 26-year-old's Instagram post. "I'm absolutely devastated by this news. All my thoughts and condolences are with Rute and their three 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. 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." The testimony revealed the extent of their bond off the field, illustrated by the fact Kelleher was present for one of the biggest days in Jota's life. Kelleher, who joined Brentford in an £18million deal earlier this summer, and Liverpool let-back Andy Robertson were each present as Jota and teenage sweetheart Rute tied the knot in their hometown of Porto. Both Kelleher and Robertson were also at Jota's side when they took in some horse races at Cheltenham together in March. However, it's clear their bond ran far deeper than sport alone. Jota previously attested to Kelleher being his best friend in the Liverpool squad in a union few might have expected. When asked whom his best Anfield pal was in 2024, the Portuguese replied: "Nowadays I would say Caoimhin. There have been a few departing the squad. "We play a quiz game, we play each other. There is one on the match day programme. It is a good way to start the match day action." One fan replied to Kelleher's sorrowful post, saying: "Sorry for your loss Caoimhin. We could all see how close you are. It's absolutely devastating." Republic of Ireland team-mates John Egan and Adam Idah also responded with love heart emojis as a show of support for their countryman.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Diogo Jota's physio reveals their last conversation just hours before fatal crash as Liverpool star ‘excited for future'
DIOGO JOTA'S physio revealed the tragic star told him he was "excited for the future" hours before his fatal car crash. The 28-year-old 3 Diogo Jota was with his physio hours before he died Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 3 Floral tributes have been laid by Liverpool fans Credit: Reuters The pair were on their way to Santander to catch a ferry to the UK, with Jota travelling back to Liverpool. Jota had been working with his physio Miguel Goncalves in his recovery from pneumothorax - a collapsed lung. Goncalves said Jota and his brother departed at 8:30pm, intending to stop at a hotel in the Burgos area before catching a ferry that would arrive in England today. The physio shared how Jota was feeling before he left, revealing he was excited and enthusiastic for the upcoming season. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Goncalvea told Portuguese outlet "He strictly followed what I told him, as you could see in the way he was recovering. "The base of his right lung had collapsed a little, but with the post-surgery physiotherapy he was practically flawless. "When I left him yesterday he was no longer in pain and was going to return to Liverpool. Most read in Football "He was excited, confident in his recovery and enthusiastic about the next season. "He believed he was going to have a great season." Jota's 'Heartbroken' Ronaldo leads tributes to Diogo Jota as football mourns Liverpool & Portugal star Fans of Liverpool and his former club Wolves have laid flowers outside their stadiums, with several Reds stars and manager It came as former He wrote on social media: 'This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can't see it!' 3
