logo
Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias issue words in final respects to Liverpool's Diogo Jota in Gondomar

Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias issue words in final respects to Liverpool's Diogo Jota in Gondomar

Yahoo18 hours ago
Manchester City's Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias have issued their final respects to the late Diogo Jota in his hometown of Gondomar in Portugal this weekend.
The Liverpool forward died in a car crash last week aged 28, alongside his brother and fellow professional footballer Andre Silva (25) in the accident, which took place in the Spanish province of Zamora.
Advertisement
The Guardia Civil told BBC Sport that the brothers had died around 00:30 local time on Thursday, after their Lamborghini left the road following a tyre blowout while overtaking another vehicle and then catching fire.
Diogo Jota had only recently married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children, with their ceremony taking place just 11 days before the road traffic accident in Spain.
Issuing a statement on the accident and death of their attacking star, Liverpool said they 'are devastated' at the loss, while his former club Wolves said in their own statement, 'We are heartbroken'.
Over the course of Friday and Saturday, Manchester City's Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva joined family and friends in the town of Gondomar in Portugal to pay their final respects to Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva.
Advertisement
Issuing a short interview this weekend, Bernardo Silva said of his compatriot, 'I can't even imagine the pain of the family, of Rute [Diogo Jota's wife], the children, the parents. For Andre and for Jota.
'A great friend of all of us. His career, although not most important, speaks for itself. He didn't train at any big team and took the most difficult path. His passion, will and determination allowed him to succeed in life and have a brilliant career.'
The Manchester City midfielder continued, 'More important, as a person… the memories that remain… Jota will always be in our hearts. He will always be present at every breakfast, lunch, dinner, national team get-together, PlayStation or card game.'
Earlier in the week, Ruben Dias penned on his social media channels, 'I still can't believe it. You won your first Premier League, we won Nations League together, you married… It doesn't make any sense.'
Advertisement
The central defender added, 'We won't forget you; the man… the father… the brother… the son and the tireless and talented companion you have always been on the field. May you both rest in peace.'
Diogo Jota and André Silva were honoured by family, friends and teammates at a joint funeral on Saturday, as hundreds of locals and supporters gathered at the Igreja Matriz in Gondomar, where the brothers are from.
The funeral also brought together huge names from across the football world, including Jota's teammates Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, who were seen carrying floral tributes into the church ahead of the ceremony.
Al Hilal's Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves – who were visibly upset during a minute's silence at the FIFA Club World Cup before their defeat to Fluminense in the quarter-final – also made the funeral, with the latter carrying Jota's coffin into the church.
Advertisement
Many of those at the ceremony wore football shirts and carried merchandise from the different teams across Portugal and abroad where Diogo Jota and Andre Silva, who played for local club Penafiel, spent some time in.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Liverpool's summer signing ready for Premier League season
Liverpool's summer signing ready for Premier League season

Yahoo

time14 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Liverpool's summer signing ready for Premier League season

Frimpong Looks Ready as Liverpool Begin the Long Walk Back Liverpool are stirring again. The break has been long but not without grief. Almost six weeks have passed since the season ended and in that time, there has been both movement in the transfer market and an aching stillness following tragedy. Now, with pre-season training set to begin, the club finds itself poised between preparation and mourning. Advertisement The loss of Diogo Jota has cast a shadow across Liverpool and beyond. Football, for all its power to distract, cannot always outrun the weight of real life. 'Players' minds will be elsewhere for the next few weeks while they deal with the grief of losing their friend.' It's a sobering thought and a stark reminder that footballers are human beings first. Support at the heart of Liverpool This is where Liverpool's identity counts for more than slogans and social media posts. On Merseyside, particularly on the red half, togetherness has always mattered. 'We are all a big family' may sound like a cliché to some, but in moments like these, it becomes a truth that carries real strength. Advertisement The return to training on Tuesday will be the start of something new but not just in terms of tactics and fitness. It will be a time for healing. The group dynamic will change, shaped by loss and resilience. The absence of Jota will be felt deeply, but slowly, the dressing room will begin to breathe again. Frimpong working to hit ground running Amidst all this, Jeremie Frimpong has been spotted working on his conditioning, preparing himself for the challenge that awaits. His commitment to personal preparation speaks volumes. 'Frimpong has been pictured working hard on his fitness, completing a variety of training drills to get up to speed.' For a player still bedding into the club's culture, that effort matters. Adaptation to Premier League football is no small task, especially under a coach like Arne Slot who demands energy, structure and intensity. Frimpong's proactive approach to the summer lays a good foundation. 'Getting a head start is going to be key for any of the new recruits if they want to bed themselves into the team from the off.' Photo: IMAGO Advertisement These weeks before the season starts are crucial. Not just for match sharpness, but for forging bonds. The pitch is only part of the job. Being able to trust your teammates, to connect off the field, is where the true cohesion begins. 'Pre-season games will be integral bonding experiences for the group… so that everyone feels comfortable around each other as they will be working in close proximity all the time.' Return framed by grief and determination There is, naturally, an air of cautious optimism. Not one of celebration but of steady rebuilding. 'It can be easy to get overexcited… so soon after Jota's passing, this optimistic update is valued.' Slot's tenure is beginning, the players are returning, and Liverpool, as ever, are looking forward. But this will not be a normal pre-season. Nor should it be. The rhythm of the game will resume, but for many, the tempo will carry a different note now. Still, as Frimpong shows, readiness is not just about fitness. It's about spirit too.

Uncertainty surrounds Liverpool's next steps after Jota's death
Uncertainty surrounds Liverpool's next steps after Jota's death

Yahoo

time24 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Uncertainty surrounds Liverpool's next steps after Jota's death

Liverpool in Mourning as Uncertainty Follows the Loss of Jota Shock grips Anfield Grief lingers over Anfield like a low mist. Just days ago, the talk on Merseyside was about momentum, about retaining the title, about what Arne Slot could conjure next with his Premier League-winning squad. But all that has stopped. Everything has stopped. Advertisement The passing of Diogo Jota has shattered the rhythm of summer. Football has always existed in tandem with life's trials, but some moments leave it as an afterthought. Jota was not just a gifted footballer, he was part of the heartbeat of this Liverpool side. The dressing room won't feel the same. Nor will the Kop. One minute, plans were being drafted, names discussed, hopes quietly rising ahead of the Community Shield and the new campaign. The next, silence. 'Time has stood still,' one source said. And in truth, that feels about right. Transfer window stalls amid sorrow Liverpool had already conducted smart business, with four new arrivals secured and another to return after a loan spell. The rebuild had been methodical, efficient and forward-looking. Now it feels irrelevant. Advertisement There will be no imminent movement in or out of the club. Those close to the squad have made it clear that transfer activity has been put on hold, out of respect, but also because there is no appetite. The atmosphere is subdued and reflective. Some within the group may want to protect what they have. To hold this squad together, not just for footballing reasons but for emotional strength. Jota's death could become a rallying point, a moment that binds the group tighter than ever. 'One of their friends is no longer here,' and that pain will linger. Slot's new challenge This is not a tactical dilemma for Arne Slot. It is something far deeper. The man who brought the title back to Anfield in his debut season now has to lead a grieving team, to steady them not just for the rigours of the Premier League, but for life without a teammate and friend. Advertisement Mohamed Salah's message on social media was stark: 'The idea of returning to Liverpool after the break actively frightened him.' That sentiment will be shared by others. Slot will need to be more than a coach in the coming weeks. There is no manual for this. No spreadsheet can measure its impact. Club and fans face an emotional season ahead Whether the club makes further signings or stands still will be shaped not by strategy but by emotion. Every option is valid. If the players need space, they will get it. If some feel the need for change, that will be considered too. This is a unique moment in Liverpool's modern history. Mistakes may happen. But unity must come first. And patience too. Because no one should be expected to carry on as if nothing has happened. The game can wait. Right now, football feels very far away. Expectations should be left at the door. Grief doesn't follow a fixture list. It follows its own timeline.

Pochettino blasts 'embarrassing' refs after USA-Mexico Gold Cup finale
Pochettino blasts 'embarrassing' refs after USA-Mexico Gold Cup finale

UPI

time25 minutes ago

  • UPI

Pochettino blasts 'embarrassing' refs after USA-Mexico Gold Cup finale

United States Men's National Team coach Mauricio Pochettino led the Americans to a runner-up finish at the 2025 Gold Cup. Photo by Caroline Brehman/EPA-EFE July 7 (UPI) -- Coach Mauricio Pochettino gave credit to Mexico and said he wasn't "going to cry," but took aim at referees for what he called an "embarrassing" performance during the Americans' loss in the Gold Cup finale in Houston. The United States Men's National Team held a 1-0 lead through the majority of the first half, but surrendered two unanswered goals in the setback Sunday at NRG Stadium. Mexico held a 16-6 advantage in shots, including 8-3 edge in shots on target, en route to its second-consecutive Gold Cup crown. "It's tough to tell the truth," Pochettino told reporters. "We need to tell the truth. The truth is that we lost. Yes, we lost. We need to be self-critical, of course. But the reality is there. Everyone can see." The Americans were whistled for a dozen fouls, compared to 11 for Mexico. Winger Sebastian Berhalter assisted center back Chris Richards for their lone goal. Striker Raul Jimenez and center midfielder Edson Alvaraz scored for the Mexicans, who held a 60% to 40% advantage in possession. The Americans, who again played without several of their traditional lineup stars, including Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Antonee Robinson, used the same starting lineup as they did for the quarterfinals and semifinals. Richards struck for first blood just 3:30 into the rivalry match. That score came when Berhalter lifted a free kick from about 40 yards out, finding Richards for a header off the crossbar. Mexico threatened before Jimenez ripped in an equalizer in the 27th minute. The Mexican striker received a feed inside the box to spark that sequence. He used his first touch to blast a left-footed striker into the upper left corner of the net, beating American goalie Matt Freese for an equalizer. Jimenez celebrated that score by pulling out a Diogo Jota jersey, a tribute honoring the late Liverpool star. Freese and the American defense did not allow another Mexico goal for the remainder of the first half. The Americans also failed to convert several close chances in first half stoppage time. They threatened again when right back Max Arfsten carried the ball into the Mexico box in the 66th minute, leading to one of the most controversial sequences of the game. Arfsten first dribbled around Roberto Alvarado before right back Jorge Sanchez poked the ball away. Sanchez then put his left hand on top of the ball as he fell down while in the box, but referees did not whistle him for a handball, which would have given the Americans a penalty kick. Instead, Sanchez played the ball out of danger. The Mexicans scored the go-ahead goal about seven minutes later, with Alvarez heading in a deflected free kick in the 77th minute. Referees initially ruled that the score was off-side, but later overturned the call and allowed the goal. Pochettino responded by voicing his displeasure during a heated conversation with a nearby official, but the damage was done. The Mexico defense held up down the stretch to deny another equalizer and secure their title. "I'm not going to cry," Pochettino said, when asked about the handball. "I wanted to tell the truth, and the truth was that if that [handball] happened in the opposite [box] for sure it's penalty. "[Sanchez] was the player with the knee on the floor. He pushed the hand over the ball. It's not that the hand was on the floor and the ball touched. OK, well the excuses now, but you know that was a penalty and maybe 2-1 for us and maybe we now would be celebrating the trophy. "I think that it is clear and it's not about to cry, it's not about to complain. For me, it was embarrassing to see that situation and it's a shame." The Americans will play South Korea in a friendly Sept. 6 at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, N.J.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store