Diogo Jota's 'sweet words' to girl told 'football is not for women'
The Liverpool and Portugal star died in a car crash aged just 28 alongside his brother Andre Felipe in Zamora near Spain's north-west border with Portugal at around 12.30am local time on Thursday.
The tragedy occurred days after Jota married his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso - who had to identify her husband and his brother after the devastating crash.
Since his death, tributes have flooded in and stories have also emerged about how kind he was. One such story that's been told involves how much he supported women in sport, and how he wanted his children to have good "role models" to look up to, reports the Mirror.
On Facebook, Her Sport wrote: "We don't often post about men's sport, but today, we're making space. At Liverpool FC, whenever there was a campaign about women or keeping girls in the game, Diogo Jota showed up. Not because he had to, because he understood WHY it mattered.
"Last year, he sat beside Ireland's Leanne Kiernan on International Women's Day and lent his voice to a message bigger than football. He spoke about the women who raised him, he spoke about his partner and the support she gives him.
"He glowingly mentioned Marta and Serena Williams as the kind of role models he hopes his daughter and his sons will grow up admiring. We believe everyone has a duty to care about equality and equity. Jota understood that and acted on it."A devastating loss for his family, his teammates and everyone who saw the strength of his character beyond the game. Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre."
The post inspired many people to share their stories and thoughts online, with one being particularly touching. A mum replied, saying: "After my littlest got picked on at school for being a girl who loves football, just the typical phrases - 'football isn't for girls' etc, Diogo noticed her waiting for him and spoke with so much respect and told her how important it was for her to stick [at it] and grow to be a role model to other little girls like his little girl! He was always a gentleman, too soon."
Another wrote: "Thank you for highlighting this side of him." A third replied: "RIP Diogo and Andre. Diogo spoke well about women and girls in sport and in life - he praised his partner, now wife, for being a strong woman in her own right - they will be missed.
" Thoughts with all the family losing both brothers, his wife and children and all friends and extended family." Meanwhile, a fourth also commented: "That's a testament to the person, husband and father he was. RIP Diogo."
Tributes have poured in within the footballing world too, with many struck by grief at the heartbreaking news. Liverpool led the tributes to the forward, and various clubs, teammates and players shared emotional posts too.
Jota started his career with Pacos de Ferreira before moving to Atletico Madrid, Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers. He spent three years with Wolves before moving to Liverpool in 2020. Jota made 182 appearances for the Reds, scoring 65 goals.
Liverpool FC's statement reads: " Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.
"Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre's family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.
"We will continue to provide them with our full support."
Scotland and Liverpool star Andy Robertson wrote: "The ones I'm thinking about most right now are the family. Their loss is too much to bear. I'm so sorry that they have lost two such precious souls – Diogo and Andre.
"For the team and the club, we'll try to cope with this together… however long that takes. For me, I want to talk about my mate. My buddy. The bloke I loved and will miss like crazy.
"I could talk about him as a player for hours, but none of that feels like it matters right now. It's the man. The person. He was such a good guy. The best. So genuine. Just normal and real.
"Full of love for the people he cared about. Full of fun.
"He was the most British foreign player I've ever met. We used to joke he was really Irish… I'd try to claim him as Scottish, obviously. I even called him Diogo MacJota.
"We'd watch the darts together, enjoy the horse racing. Going to Cheltenham this season was a highlight - one of the best we had.
"The last time I saw him was the happiest day of his life – his wedding day. I want to remember his never-ceasing smile from that magical day. How much he was bursting with love for his wife and family.
"I can't believe we're saying goodbye. It's too soon, and it hurts so much. But thank you for being in my life, mate – and for making it better. Love you, Diogo."
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