Diogo Jota dies latest: Liverpool mourns star; crowds gather in Portugal for hearse carrying forward and his brother

Sky News

16 hours ago

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 accident.
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 (11.30pm UK time last night) 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 that 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";
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'.
23:00:01
We're pausing our coverage - scroll down the page to catch up
We've been 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.
We're pausing our coverage for now. Here's everything we know.
The crash happened in Zamora in northwestern Spain at around 12.30am local time on Thursday.
The Lamborghini the pair were travelling in veered off the road, with Spanish authorities saying a tyre blowout occurred while the car was overtaking another vehicle.
A Spanish government source told the PA news agency that the crash is being investigated as a "possible speeding incident".
It happened just 11 days after Jota's wedding to his long-term partner Rute Cordoso, with whom he had three children.
Fans have been gathering outside Anfield leaving flowers, shirts and scarves as a flag baring the Liverpool crest was flown at half-mast.
The club also opened a book of condolence at the stadium to allow fans to pay their respects.
Take a moment to hear from them in the video below.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot said "I wish I had the words but I know I do not" and insisted Jota "will never be forgotten";
Jurgen Klopp said he was "heartbroken" by the news, adding "there must be a bigger purpose, but I can't see it";
Reds legend Sir Kenny Dalglish said: "Football is not important at this sad time, you feel helpless, knowing there's so little we can do to ease the pain for his wife of just two weeks, his three beautiful children";
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool's captain, called Jota a "champion forever" and vowed to "always be there" for his family;
Andy Robertson wrote he will miss Jota "like crazy" and said he last saw him at his wedding just days ago;
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'.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner laid flowers outside Anfield and said "the whole city is there to support his wife, children and family".
Our sports correspondent Rob Harris has looked back at the life and career of Jota, which you can watch in the video below.
22:40:01
In pictures: Flowers, shirts and scarves laid outside Anfield
Throughout the day, mourners have been leaving flowers, shirts and scarves near Anfield as they pay their respects to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva.
Take a look at some of the tributes below...
22:19:01
Your memories: Rival fan says Jota was 'one of the only players I've ever been scared of'
Our readers have been getting in touch with us throughout the day to share their memories of Diogo Jota...
Liverpool fans George and Liam said:
Absolute gent and down to earth person. Regularly see him picking his kids up from school. Was a privilege to meet him when my son was mascot for LFC. Thoughts with his wife and kids.
DW, a Wolves fan, also got in touch:
Diogo was an incredible player. When he joined Wolves, he took everyone by surprise and never stopped improving. I know that he will be dearly missed by everyone in the football community and I wish my most heartfelt condolences to his family. Once a wolf, always a wolf. RIP!
FarmVilleHero wrote:
As an Arsenal fan one of my memories of him, while not the fondest, is how he always managed to demolish us. He is one of the only players I've ever been truthfully scared of when we have faced him at Liverpool. He is better than Figo don't you know! RIP
And a Manchester United fan said:
My condolences to all Liverpool fans for the tragic circumstances of his death. But most of all condolences to his family for their sad loss. Diogo was a great player and a joy to watch taken far too soon from this world. RIP both you and your brother god bless.
21:59:01
Watch: Fans sing You'll Never Walk Alone for Jota
Liverpool fans have been gathering and sharing their tributes all day, after the news of Diogo Jota's sudden death in a car crash in Spain, alongside his brother Andre Silva.
We've already brought you videos of supporters singing Jota's chant.
This time, we have a clip of fans singing the iconic Liverpool anthem, You'll Never Walk Alone.
Many of the tributes today have told Jota's new wife and three children that they will never walk alone after this tragedy.
Watch the poignant clip of fans singing outside Anfield below - with that previously mentioned Jota chant included at the end of the video:
21:38:01
Watch: FIFA president pays tribute to Jota and his brother
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said "there are no words" after the death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva.
Infantino confirmed teams participating in the Club World Cup will hold a minute's silence before their upcoming games.
21:17:01
Former teammate at Jota's hometown club 'proud' of his career
Our sports correspondent Rob Harris is in Porto and has spoken to one of Diogo Jota's former teammates at his hometown club Gondomar.
"He was a very good friend back then," Miguel Rocha, who played with Jota for around 10 years, said.
"The player that we see on the television is the player that I saw back then in training."
Rocha also spoke of his pride at seeing Jota go on to win some of football's biggest prizes.
"I was very proud of every goal he achieves, like playing in the Premier League and then winning the Premier League.
"Every child dreams of becoming professional but we know it's very difficult, but me and my colleagues who we played with back then are all very proud.
"Every time we see Jota on the pitch we feel nothing but proud."
Watch the full interview in the video below.
21:00:01
In pictures: Minute's silence for Jota and his brother at Women's Euros
We can now bring you these pictures from Switzerland, where Portugal are playing Spain at the Women's Euros.
Players from both sides have held a minute's silence for Diogo Jota and his brother ahead of kick-off.
20:43:24
'Champion forever': Liverpool captain vows to 'always be there' for Jota's family
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has posted his tribute to Diogo Jota on Instagram.
"What a human being, what a player, but most importantly what an unbelievable family man," he wrote.
"You mean so much to all of us and you always will!"
Van Dijk said his "heart is breaking" for Jota's family, and vowed to "always be there" for them.
"A champion forever, number 20 forever," he added.
"It's been a privilege to have stood by your side on the pitch, and to have been your friend off it."