Keir Starmer pays tribute to Diogo Jota after Liverpool player's death
Keir Starmer has paid tribute to Diogo Jota after the Liverpool footballer's death.
The Prime Minister said the Portuguese footballer's passing was "devastating" during a press conference on Thrusday morning.
Starmer said his "thoughts are with [Jota's] family and his friends".
The PM said: "This is devastating news. I'm sure I speak for everyone in saying our first thoughts are going to be with his family and his friends in particular.
"There are millions of Liverpool fans but also football fans and non fans who will be shocked by this.
"I think Liverpool Football Club have just put a statement out, as I understand it.
"But it is devastating and it is really important that we bear in mind just how difficult a period it will be for his friends and for his family."
It was announced on Thursday morning that Jota had died in Spain aged 28.
The Spanish civil guard said he was found dead alongside his brother, Andre Silva, after their car went off the A-52 in Palacios de Sanabria near the city of Zamora at 12.40am on Thursday.
The Zamora provincial council said the vehicle, which police said was a Lamborghini, 'ran off the road and caught fire, which spread to the surrounding vegetation'.
Spanish media also reported that the car left the road due to a tyre blowout while overtaking.
Jota married his long term partner Rute Cardoso in Portugal on June 22, just 11 days before the accident.
Liverpool said the club was 'devastated' by the news and that it was an 'unimaginable loss'.
The Portuguese Football Federation also said it was 'devastated' to learn of the deaths, adding: 'Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football.'
Police said no other vehicles were involved in the incident.
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South Wales Argus
26 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Mourners to gather in Portugal for wake of Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota
The 28-year-old father of three, who had married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso just 11 days ago, died in a car crash in Spain alongside his brother Andre Silva after a Lamborghini they were travelling in veered off the road and burst into flames following a suspected tyre blowout. The pair were found dead following the crash on the A-52 in Palacios de Sanabria near the city of Zamora at 12.40am on Thursday. Jose Manuel Macedo, parish priest at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme, told the PA news agency in a translated message that a wake for the brothers will take place at 8am at the nearby Capela da Ressurreicao before their funeral at the Igreja Matriz on Saturday at 10am. Liverpool manager Arne Slot said the 'sense of shock is absolute' for the club. 'Diogo was not just our player,' he said. 'He was a loved one to all of us. Tributes have been left at Anfield Stadium in memory of Jota (Peter Byrne/PA) 'I could say so much about what he brought to our team but the truth is everyone who watched Diogo play could see it. Hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, goals. 'The essence of what a Liverpool player should be.' Slot said the player 'never sought popularity' but gained it anyway and was a friend to everyone, able to make others feel good about themselves 'just by being with them'. Portugal fans held up tributes to the player (Nick Potts/PA) He said the last time they spoke he wished Jota luck for his upcoming 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,' Slot added. He recalled learning, when he first came to the club, of the song Liverpool fans sang for Jota and said he knew 'straight away' that meant the player must have 'special qualities'. 'When the time is right, we will celebrate Diogo Jota, we will remember his goals and we will sing his song,' Slot said. 'For the time being, we will remember him as a unique human being and mourn his loss. He will never be forgotten.' The club has opened physical and digital books of condolence in the wake of the deaths, and supporters and members of the public can go to the Anfield Road Stand reception area over the coming days to sign a message. The online book can be found at Flags have been lowered to half-mast at the stadium and all club stores, museums and tours have been closed until Monday, with staff offered wellbeing support. The Portuguese Football Federation also said it was 'devastated' to learn of the deaths, adding: 'Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football.' Police said they were investigating the possibility that the Lamborghini left the road because of a tyre blowout while overtaking, and a source from the government sub-delegation in Zamora confirmed 'a possible speeding incident' was being looked at. 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. Liverpool fans started leaving tributes outside Anfield on Thursday morning, with flowers being laid with messages including 'Thanks for everything, Diogo'. Tributes outside Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton (Matthew Cooper/PA) Jota was part of Liverpool's Premier League-winning side in the 2024/25 campaign, scoring six goals in 26 appearances. He joined the Merseyside club from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020, winning three major trophies. Portugal national team captain Cristiano Ronaldo said he wishes Jota's family 'all the strength in the world' following the Liverpool forward's death. A translated version of his message on Instagram said: 'Doesn't make any sense. 'Just now we were together in the national team, just now you were married. 'To your family, to your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. 'I know you will always be with them. R.I.P. Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.' The Prince of Wales, patron of the FA, said he was 'deeply saddened' to hear of Jota's death, adding: 'Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him.' Jota and his wife got together in 2013, it has been reported, and have three children together – two sons and a daughter who was born in November. He frequently shared pictures of himself and his family on his Instagram account, while his wife has posted images of their holidays in Dubai and Lapland. They also have three pet beagles. On Wednesday, Jota and Cardoso, 28, posted video footage of their wedding, with the caption: 'A day we will never forget.'
Glasgow Times
26 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Mourners to gather in Portugal for wake of Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota
The 28-year-old father of three, who had married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso just 11 days ago, died in a car crash in Spain alongside his brother Andre Silva after a Lamborghini they were travelling in veered off the road and burst into flames following a suspected tyre blowout. The pair were found dead following the crash on the A-52 in Palacios de Sanabria near the city of Zamora at 12.40am on Thursday. Jose Manuel Macedo, parish priest at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme, told the PA news agency in a translated message that a wake for the brothers will take place at 8am at the nearby Capela da Ressurreicao before their funeral at the Igreja Matriz on Saturday at 10am. Liverpool manager Arne Slot said the 'sense of shock is absolute' for the club. 'Diogo was not just our player,' he said. 'He was a loved one to all of us. Tributes have been left at Anfield Stadium in memory of Jota (Peter Byrne/PA) 'I could say so much about what he brought to our team but the truth is everyone who watched Diogo play could see it. Hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, goals. 'The essence of what a Liverpool player should be.' Slot said the player 'never sought popularity' but gained it anyway and was a friend to everyone, able to make others feel good about themselves 'just by being with them'. Portugal fans held up tributes to the player (Nick Potts/PA) He said the last time they spoke he wished Jota luck for his upcoming 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,' Slot added. He recalled learning, when he first came to the club, of the song Liverpool fans sang for Jota and said he knew 'straight away' that meant the player must have 'special qualities'. 'When the time is right, we will celebrate Diogo Jota, we will remember his goals and we will sing his song,' Slot said. 'For the time being, we will remember him as a unique human being and mourn his loss. He will never be forgotten.' The club has opened physical and digital books of condolence in the wake of the deaths, and supporters and members of the public can go to the Anfield Road Stand reception area over the coming days to sign a message. The online book can be found at Flags have been lowered to half-mast at the stadium and all club stores, museums and tours have been closed until Monday, with staff offered wellbeing support. The Portuguese Football Federation also said it was 'devastated' to learn of the deaths, adding: 'Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football.' Police said they were investigating the possibility that the Lamborghini left the road because of a tyre blowout while overtaking, and a source from the government sub-delegation in Zamora confirmed 'a possible speeding incident' was being looked at. 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. Liverpool fans started leaving tributes outside Anfield on Thursday morning, with flowers being laid with messages including 'Thanks for everything, Diogo'. Tributes outside Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton (Matthew Cooper/PA) Jota was part of Liverpool's Premier League-winning side in the 2024/25 campaign, scoring six goals in 26 appearances. He joined the Merseyside club from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020, winning three major trophies. Portugal national team captain Cristiano Ronaldo said he wishes Jota's family 'all the strength in the world' following the Liverpool forward's death. A translated version of his message on Instagram said: 'Doesn't make any sense. 'Just now we were together in the national team, just now you were married. 'To your family, to your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. 'I know you will always be with them. R.I.P. Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.' The Prince of Wales, patron of the FA, said he was 'deeply saddened' to hear of Jota's death, adding: 'Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him.' Jota and his wife got together in 2013, it has been reported, and have three children together – two sons and a daughter who was born in November. He frequently shared pictures of himself and his family on his Instagram account, while his wife has posted images of their holidays in Dubai and Lapland. They also have three pet beagles. On Wednesday, Jota and Cardoso, 28, posted video footage of their wedding, with the caption: 'A day we will never forget.'
Daily Mirror
31 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal make decision on seven exits as Mikel Arteta steps up summer rebuild
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is eager to land some blockbuster signings in the summer transfer window to help the Gunners kick on next season but several stars will also be leaving Arsenal are not planning to sell Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard this summer as things stand - but five fringe players are expected to be moved on before the transfer window closes. The Gunners have big plans this summer after finishing second in the Premier League for a third consecutive year and strengthening in attack is a priority. The club are searching for a new No.9 and an elite-level left winger, with further additions in midfield also planned. Talk that Arsenal are looking for new faces in attack has, in turn, sparked speculation over some of Mikel Arteta 's current players. The Mail, however, have outlined that Martinelli and Trossard - two of the players in question - are not up for sale and that Arsenal would like them to stay beyond the transfer window. It's explained that Martinelli would compete with a new left winger, potentially Rodrygo of Real Madrid, rather than being sold to raise funds for more big deals. And Trossard, a player capable of playing in a variety of attacking positions, is also still in Arteta's plans and is even in talks to extend his contract until 2029. But while they are seemingly safe from the chop, a handful of other first-team stars are available for transfer including Fabio Vieira, who will return to Arsenal after spending the 2024-25 campaign on loan with his former club, FC Porto. It emerged last week that they will not be pursuing a permanent deal for a player who flourished for them in the Portuguese Primeira Liga previously. Join the debate! What transfer business do you think Arsenal need to do this summer? Let us know here Other players who could depart Arsenal this summer include Reiss Nelson and Oleksandr Zinchenko, both of whom earn in excess of £100,000-a-week according to the same report. Both players have been linked with Fulham while Zinchenko is also understood to have suitors in Europe. Albert Sambi Lokonga and Jakub Kiwior are the other two stars mentioned as potential outgoings - even though Kiwior impressed during the back end of last season. The Poland international is likely to find himself further down the pecking order, though, if Arsenal are successful in their pursuit of the Valencia defender, Cristhian Mosquera. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
