Diogo Jota dies latest: Former Liverpool captain pays emotional tribute to Jota at Anfield vigil

Sky News

04-07-2025

12:57:49
'I am truly lost for words': Salah speaks of fear over Jota loss
Mohammed Salah, Liverpool's star forward, has joined fellow teammates in offering his thoughts following Diogo Jota's death.
"I am truly lost for words," he writes.
"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 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."
12:48:43
Former Liverpool captain pays emotional tribute to Jota at Anfield vigil
Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has been pictured laying a floral tribute among those being left at Anfield Stadium.
The player was seen wiping away tears at the vigil outside Liverpool's stadium.
12:35:03
Jota's wife arrives at wake as funeral details announced
Diogo Jota's wife has arrived at the player's wake in his hometown of Gondomar.
Rute Cardoso, who had married the footballer less than two weeks earlier, was seen entering the Chapel of the Resurrection.
Jota's agent, Jorge Mendes, and Portuguese prime minister Luis Montenegro were also seen arriving at the church.
A wake is expected to take place at the chapel from around 3pm UK time, while the funeral is scheduled for 9am tomorrow morning, Gondomar's mayor's office said.
12:15:01
Liverpool cancel return of first players for pre-season training
Liverpool have cancelled the phased return of players for pre-season training as they continue to mourn the death of forward Diogo Jota, it has emerged.
The first group of Arne Slot's squad were scheduled to attend the club's AXA training complex today for the opening round of physical tests after their summer break.
However, it is understood that has been postponed as the club deals with the aftermath of Jota and his brother Andre Silva's tragic deaths in the early hours of Thursday.
11:50:01
Authorities reveal key detail likely to affect investigation into fatal crash
Authorities investigating the crash that killed Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre, have reportedly been discussing key details likely to affect the probe.
Police have said they are looking into the possibility that the Lamborghini Huracán the pair were travelling in left the road because of a tyre blowout while overtaking - while a government source said "a possible speeding incident" was being probed.
But the Guardia Civil told El Mundo that investigations could be prolonged because "the burned surface has eliminated many of the clues that could indicate the cause of the accident".
The newspaper reported that a 50-metre skid mark remained visible on the stretch of motorway connecting Pontevedra and Benavente, around 100 metres before the point of impact.
It said a detached fender was the only remnant of the fluorescent green car that had survived the flames.
A member of the local emergency services, meanwhile, said it was "very frustrating" that the nature of the accident meant they had been unable to do anything to help the two men.
11:28:26
'It's hard to understand': What Jota's Portugal teammates have said
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo is among a host of Diogo Jota's former international teammates who have been offering their tributes.
Here's words from a number of the 28-year-old's fellow Portugal stars:
Cristiano Ronaldo:"It doesn't make sense. Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you had gotten married.
"To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world.
"I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you."
Bruno Fernandes:"Friend, colleague and companion of a thousand battles.
"It's hard to understand how can someone leave so soon. May you and your brother find the peace you need to watch over your loved ones who lost you too soon and suddenly."
Bernardo Silva:"Forever with us."
Ruben Neves:"They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you."
Rafael Leao: "Rest in peace brother."
Diogo Dalot:"Devastating.. Speechless.. Much strength to the family."
Pedro Goncalves: "My deepest condolences to the family."
Diogo Costa:"There are no words, rest in peace."
Renato Veiga: "No words. Rest in peace."
Danilo:"There is no suffering on earth that heaven cannot cure."
11:00:01
Police investigation into fatal crash continues
Amid ongoing tributes to Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre, from people across the world, police in Spain continue their investigations into the accident that killed the pair.
Authorities said yesterday they were looking into the possibility that the Lamborghini the pair were travelling in left the road because of a tyre blowout while overtaking.
A source from the government sub-delegation in Zamora, meanwhile, said "a possible speeding incident" was being probed.
No other vehicles are said to have been involved in the incident.
Pictures of the aftermath of the crash showed debris scattered along the side of the road, including what appeared to be charred parts of the vehicle.
We'll bring you any updates on developments surrounding the investigation as we get them.
10:29:03
In pictures: Fans descend on Anfield vigil to pay respects
Fans have been descending on Anfield to pay their respects to Diogo Jota.
A sea of flowers is now present outside the ground, as Liverpool supporters begin to process the tragic death of the 28-year-old and his brother.
See images from Anfield as people continued to offer their tributes at the vigil this morning - and watch a live stream above.
10:09:04
Crowds in Portugal gather for the saddest of homecomings
By Rob Harris, sports correspondent, in Gondomar
On a quiet side street by Capela da Ressurreicao, on the outskirts of Porto, the crowd had been building through the night.
Waiting for the saddest of homecomings.
And at 11.30pm last night, the tranquillity of the night was broken by dozens applauding as the hearse carrying the coffins of two footballing sons of Gondomar arrived.
The tragedy has resonated around the world. But their loss is felt most painfully here in their hometowns.
A few minutes' drive away at Gondomar Sport Club, the collection of flowers, scarves, jerseys and candles was growing outside the academy named after Jota.
It's there I encountered a former teammate of the 28-year-old who went on to win every major English trophy with Liverpool.
Miguel Rocha was wearing one of Jota's Number 20 Liverpool shirts and clutching a jersey from previous club, Wolves, gifted by his friend.
They played together here for a decade, through the youth ranks.
"Back then, every child dreams of going professional," Rocha told Sky News. "But at the same time, we know it's very difficult, but he got it.
"Me and my colleagues who played together back then, we were all very proud.
"This community of Gondomar, as well as Portugal, every time we saw Diogo Jota on the pitch, we felt very proud. Nothing but pride."
Licínio Ribeiro Correia watched both brothers growing up at Gondomar and continued to spend time with them.
"We could see right away in Diogo that he was hungry for the ball," he recalled. "When he played, the goals were a spectacle.
"Then he left here and went to Paços de Ferreira, he went to a bigger club and oh well, we lost Diogo."
But Jota never forgot his roots, sending a shirt back from England to Correia.
The forward's last act in a Portugal shirt was helping his country to a second Nations League title.
He left Liverpool after a Premier League trophy parade and so many at the vigil came in the club's red shirts.
One of them was Afonso Gama who has just completed the season playing for Gondomar's under-19s.
Through the sadness, Gama reflected on seeing a player rise from such a modest, low-level club to the heights of the sport.
"He made us believe that's possible," Gama told Sky News. "We know it's not for everybody. We have to work hard.
"And he was an inspiration for everybody who played here."
09:45:14
Welcome back
Good morning and welcome back to our live updates.
We'll continue bringing you tributes from around the world after Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva were killed in a car crash in Spain.
A vigil gets under way in Liverpool this morning, with a wake due to take place in Portugal this afternoon.
We'll also bring you any updates on the investigation into the fatal crash.
Before we begin, here's a reminder of everything we know:
The crash happened in Zamora, northwestern Spain, at around 12.30am local time yesterday when the Lamborghini the pair were travelling in veered off the road;
The Spanish authorities said their car left the road due to a tyre blowout while overtaking another vehicle;
A Spanish government source told the PA news agency the crash was being investigated as a "possible speeding incident";
The crash took place just 11 days after Jota's wedding to his long-term partner Rute Cordoso, with whom he had three children;
Liverpool FC say they are "devastated" by Jota's "tragic passing", while the Portuguese national team says the country is "completely devastated";
Liverpool manager Arne Slot said "I wish I had the words but I know I do not" and insisted Jota "will never be forgotten";
Former manager Jurgen Klopp said he was "heartbroken" by the news, adding "there must be a bigger purpose, but I can't see it";
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool's captain, called Jota a "champion forever" and vowed to "always be there" for his family;
Jota's Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo wrote: "It doesn't make sense", and said - "just now we were together in the National Team, just now you had gotten married";
Lionel Messi shared an Instagram story with the message "QEPD" which translates to 'rest in peace'.