Liverpool's Conor Bradley leads NI tributes to team-mate Diogo Jota: ‘I can't describe how I'm feeling'

Belfast Telegraph

3 days ago

The Co Tyrone man posted a photograph of himself and Jota with the Premier League trophy to his social media, alongside the caption: "Rest in peace brother. Don't have words to describe how I'm feeling but, I know we lost an incredible person today".
The Portuguese forward (28) was killed alongside his brother André Silva (26) in a car crash in Spain in the early hours of yesterday morning — less than a fortnight after his wedding.
Shocked and grief-stricken Liverpool fans flocked to Anfield to lay flowers for their fallen hero.
The club said it was 'devastated" by the news.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who signed Jota from Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he once scored against Irish League side Crusaders, said he was "heartbroken".
The Prince of Wales also expressed his deep sadness, sending his condolences to all who knew Jota.
The crash occurred near Zamora in the north-west of Spain.
The local fire department said a car crashed shortly after midnight and burst into flames, with two men found dead.
Jota tied the knot with his partner Rute Cardoso on June 22, and leaves behind three young children.
Known for his clinical finishing at Liverpool, especially when games were tight, Jota also left a lasting legacy at Wolverhampton Wanderers FC.
He scored Wolves' first European goal in 39 years — and it came against Crusaders in 2019.
The English side won the two-legged tie 6-1, but it was Jota's opener at Molineux that really made history.
After the match, he was complimentary about the Crues' efforts, saying: "To be honest, I didn't know much about them before this game, but they were well organised and gave 100% in each tackle and each moment of the game, so they made it hard for us."
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Crusaders manager Declan Caddell, who played in that match, recalled the occasion and expressed his sorrow: "It was an incredible game to be a part of, and Diogo Jota was a standout player.
'His tragic passing has shocked everyone in the world of football. On behalf of myself, the coaching staff, players, and the entire Crusaders family, I offer our sincere condolences to Diogo's teammates, friends, and loved ones."
Local Liverpool fans also spoke of their shock.
Cool FM presenter Pete Snodden said: 'Only 28 and just married — his whole life was in front of him.
'Two brothers lost in the most tragic circumstances, my thoughts are with his wife, children and family. It's heartbreaking. He was an incredible footballer, scored phenomenal goals and a fan favourite.
'Our number 20 showed what it meant to play for the shirt. He gave his all and always had a smile on his face. Life can be so cruel.'
Radio Ulster broadcaster Connor Phillips recalled meeting the young forward at an airport a few years ago.
He said he walked up to him and said: 'Liverpool — obrigado (the Portuguese word for 'thank you')', to which Jota smiled.
'I watched on when Jota sang for Liverpool, I was in the north of England at the time, and I remember his statement when he put out,' Connor explained.
'He said: 'I am now at the biggest club of my career, and the best club of my career'.
'He fully bought into the whole Liverpool ethos very early on, and then as he did that, and just as a Liverpool fan, we all loved what he did.
'You could go through the whole 20, 30, 40 years of Liverpool players who came in, made an impact, but never got a song. But Diogo got a song, because he was brilliant.
'I think in the relatively short space of time he was at Liverpool, you could see why he became a cult figure.
'When you get a bit older, when you hear that a hero of yours has passed away, more often than not they're considerably older, more often than not they've had a wonderful, fruitful, long life, more often than not there's tributes coming from many generations of people.
'Jota's 28. I can't get my head around that.'
Tributes also flowed from the biggest names in world football.
Jota's international teammate Cristiano Ronaldo said the loss "doesn't make sense".
"We were only just in the national team together, you had only just got married," he said.
"To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you'll always be with them.
"Rest in peace, Diogo and André. We'll all miss you."
Klopp, who stood down as Reds' boss last year, said: "This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can't see it!
"I'm heartbroken to hear about the passing of Diogo and his brother Andre.
"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!'
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Jota's death was "devastating news" and "there are millions of Liverpool fans, but also football fans, and non-fans, who will also be shocked by this".
Liverpool mayor Steve Rotheram said he was "heartbroken" by the news and that Jota's death was a "huge loss to our city and the world of football".
At Anfield, hundreds of supporters passed the Liverpool flag — lowered to half-mast outside the famous old stadium — before making their way to an impromptu shrine outside the Main Stand.
The area quickly became a sea of red and white flowers, scarves and shirts; a blue Everton shirt amongst them, a tribute from a fan of their city rivals.