Diogo Jota's childhood neighbour's heartbreaking tribute to Liverpool star

Irish Daily Mirror

2 days ago

Maria Pereira, holding back tears, fondly remembers the days spent watching Diogo Jota and Andre Silva grow up beside her. The 67-year-old neighbour to the boys' grandfather seen their rise from young hopefuls to football stars.
She was a guest at Liverpool FC ace Jota's recent wedding, celebrating with him and Rute Cardoso as they started a new chapter in their relationship. However, the community is now mourning the devastating car crash that took the lives of Jota and Silva this week, leaving the world in shock and sorrow, particularly felt in the close-knit neighbourhood of Rua da Minhoteira where both lads were brought up.
Cosme Oliveira, Maria's nephew, conveyed her closeness to the pair as he interpreted for her: "My aunt was very close to those two. She watched them grow from babies until now. She maintained contact with them all the time, especially with the family. This shocking news was strange, confusing and heartbreaking.
"His grandpa from his mother's side lives [next door] and we all have contact with him, almost everyday. They were the most humble and beautiful people that we ever have had here in this small town."
Cosme also shared his personal grief, recalling happy times playing football with Jota and Silva in their grandad's front garden when they were kids. Now 30, he reminisced to the ECHO: "We played from the garage door to the main gate."
"We played small tournaments. I remember back in 2010. We had the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, we had this idea that we could make our own tournament. He was Portugal. I was Argentina, Andre was Brazil."
Cosme couldn't help but chuckle at the trip down memory lane, pointing out the inevitable champion: "Of course, [Diogo] won. His mood was always you can do better, you can do better. I sucked at football. We were just playing for fun. He was never looking for fame or money. He just wanted to play football. He just wanted to play what he liked most."
His heartfelt sentiments reflect why Liverpool FC supporters cherish their number 20, as Cosme expressed his deep appreciation for how warmly Jota has been received in Merseyside, stating: "You guys always received him well, so I think we all have to thank you for the way you welcomed our boy in your land."
In the wake of heartbreaking news, Cosme is reeling, reminiscing over cherished childhood moments: "Almost every summer, they were going to my house or we'd go into their house to play FIFA or ride our bikes to the town, or play football in the yard.
"His grandma was sad we destroyed the fences. That was the good memories that stayed. I think that's what we have to hold."
The tightly-woven neighbourhood from the tiny street where Diogo Jota and his brother Silva were brought up resonates with what Cosme expressed, and Tiago Silva, who's Cosme's relative, holds dear recollections of his time with the siblings in their youth.
In an intimate chat with the ECHO, Tiago delved into their past: "We played together, we laughed together. We played football on the streets and on the fields at the bottom of the road when I was a child.
"When he left for Liverpool, for Porto, for Atletico, we continued to see doors open up for him. He was a real guy. Not interested in fame, or nothing. He was a real good guy."
Beatriz Bessa, another local from the same street, insisted that Jota and Silva's influence as hometown heroes remains eternal: "When we grew up, Diogo became a really good player but he stayed humble. As all of his family. They were really kind.
"I have a little brother and when we saw Portugal wasn't playing so well, we always used to say at the TV, 'put Diogo on'. All the kids, my cousins, my brothers, they look at him as a hero. ".
Those defining times spent in their formative habitat by Rua da Minhoteira in Sao Cosme are still treasured by many around, leaving a lasting mark on the district.
The local Clube de Caça e Pesca de Aguiar, more akin to a cosy pub than a hunting club, hosts the brothers' grandfather and exhibits two of Jota's jerseys from his time at Liverpool FC and Wolves, much to the community's pride.
Bar proprietors Carlos Sousa and Vanessa Marques are beaming with pride as they point out the famed red number 20 shirt on their wall, affirming that it was gifted by the player himself.
With Vanessa translating for Carlos, she relayed: "They are a good family and he was a good child. He used to play football in here. He was a very special person. A very empathetic person."
Whilst Jota and Silva's footballing skills and achievements are renowned, it's their character and modest roots that truly strike a chord with those from their hometown.
Local resident Cosme looked back warmly: "When we seen them, they were always smiling, they were always happy, they were always happy with their simple life. They are the true meaning that you don't need expensive shoes or expensive equipment to become a footballer. You just have to have love for what you do."
He continued: "They both are the meaning of humble. The passion for football. They never lost their roots here. They never forgot this little town and what we represent. The good memories that we have with them here will always live."