Diogo Jota's family receives emotional vow from Liverpool's captain in tribute to late soccer star
In an emotional post shared Thursday on Instagram, a 'devastated' Van Dijk honored Jota, who perished in a car wreck early Thursday in Spain that also claimed the life of his younger brother, Andre Silva.
'Man, I can't believe it, I don't wanna believe it,' the 33-year-old captain began. 'Absolutely devastated and in total disbelief.
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'What a human being, what a player, but most importantly what an unbelievable family man.'
8 Virgil van Dijk (l.) and Diogo Jota (r.) in April 2023.
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8 Diogo Jota tragically died in a car crash in July 2025. He was 28 years old.
AFP via Getty Images
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Jota, a dad to three young children with wife Rute Cardoso, whom he married just weeks ago in June, was then promised by Van Dijk that his loved ones would be supported.
'For your family to lose two sons, a husband and a father is just unimaginable. So cruel and unfair. My heart is breaking for all of your beautiful family, for Rute and for your kids. I promise you that in these difficult times and beyond we will always be there for your family,' he expressed.
'A champion forever, number 20 forever. It's been a privilege to have stood by your side on the pitch, and to have been your friend off it.'
8 Diogo Jota and wife Rute Cardoso are parents to three young children.
@rutecfcardoso14/Instagram
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8 Virgil van Dijk celebrated with the Premier League trophy in May 2025.
AFP via Getty Images
Van Dijk, who has served as Liverpool's captain since July 2023, then bid farewell to his late friend with a heartfelt message about Jota's legacy.
'We will miss you beyond words and never forget you,' he wrote. 'Your legacy will live on, we will make sure of it!'
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8 Rute Cardoso and Diogo Jota wed in June 2025.
@diogoj_18/Instagram
Jota had played for Liverpool since 2020 and scored 65 goals across 182 appearances.
He and his brother were found dead after his Lamborghini veered off the road and burst into flames.
Jota was 28 years old, and Andre was 25.
8 Flowers and tributes are left outside Liverpool's Anfield Stadium following Diogo Jota's death.
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8 Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson attends a tribute for Diogo Jota on July 4, 2025, in Liverpool.
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'Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota,' the club said in a statement, adding that it requests '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.
Van Dijk isn't the only member of the club who has paid tribute to Jota.
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Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah said Friday he's 'truly lost for words' in the wake of the tragic accident.
8 Diogo Jota had played for Liverpool since 2020.
REUTERS
'Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me of going back to Liverpool after the break,' he posted on Instagram. '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.'
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Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson visited a growing memorial outside Anfield in Liverpool, England, on Friday, where he wiped away tears while paying his respects.
Loved ones of Jota and his younger brother gathered in Portugal on Friday ahead of a wake.
The funeral is planned for Saturday.
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14 minutes ago
Liverpool players join family of Diogo Jota and his brother for funeral held in Portugal
GONDOMAR, Portugal -- Liverpool players joined family and friends for the funeral of their teammate Diogo Jota and his brother on Saturday, two days after the siblings died in a car crash in Spain. The service will be held at Igreja Matriz church in the Portuguese town of Gondomar, where Jota had a home. Portugal's national team coach Roberto Martínez and several top Portuguese players also attended, including Manchester City duo Bernardo Silva and Rúben Dias and Manchester United's Bruno Fernándes. Jota, 28, and his brother, André Silva, 25, were found dead near Zamora in northwestern Spain early Thursday after the Lamborghini they were driving crashed on an isolated stretch of highway just after midnight on Thursday and burst into flames. The brothers were reportedly heading to catch a boat from northern Spain to go to England where Jota was to rejoin with Liverpool after a summer break. Spanish police are investigating the cause of the crash, which did not involve another vehicle, they said. They said they believe it could have been caused by a blown tire. Their bodies were repatriated to Portugal after being identified by the family. A wake was held for them on Friday. Jota's death occurred two weeks after he married long-time partner Rute Cardoso while on vacation from a long season where he helped Liverpool win the Premier League. The couple had three children, the youngest born last year. Jota was born in Porto but started his playing career as a child on nearby Gondomar. Their loss led to an outpouring of condolences from the soccer world and Portuguese officials. ___ Wilson reported from Barcelona, Spain. ___
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34 minutes ago
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Liverpool players join family of Diogo Jota and his brother for funeral held in Portugal
GONDOMAR, Portugal — Liverpool players joined family and friends for the funeral of their teammate Diogo Jota and his brother on Saturday, two days after the siblings died in a car crash in Spain. The service will be held at Igreja Matriz church in the Portuguese town of Gondomar, where Jota had a home. Portugal's national team coach Roberto Martínez and several top Portuguese players also attended, including Manchester City duo Bernardo Silva and Rúben Dias and Manchester United's Bruno Fernándes. Jota, 28, and his brother, André Silva, 25, were found dead near Zamora in northwestern Spain early Thursday after the Lamborghini they were driving crashed on an isolated stretch of highway just after midnight on Thursday and burst into flames. The brothers were reportedly heading to catch a boat from northern Spain to go to England where Jota was to rejoin with Liverpool after a summer break. Spanish police are investigating the cause of the crash, which did not involve another vehicle, they said. They said they believe it could have been caused by a blown tire. Their bodies were repatriated to Portugal after being identified by the family. A wake was held for them on Friday. Jota's death occurred two weeks after he married long-time partner Rute Cardoso while on vacation from a long season where he helped Liverpool win the Premier League. The couple had three children, the youngest born last year. Jota was born in Porto but started his playing career as a child on nearby Gondomar. Silva played for Portuguese club Penafiel in the lower divisions. Their loss led to an outpouring of condolences from the soccer world and Portuguese officials. ___ Wilson reported from Barcelona, Spain. ___ AP soccer:
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🎥 Football mourns Jota: Oasis tribute, Henderson and club's gesture 👏
The news of Diogo Jota's passing has deeply shaken the world of football. At just 29 years old, he was tragically taken from life along with his younger brother André in a dramatic car accident. A husband and father of three, he leaves a huge void both on and off the field. Today, at 11, the funerals will be held. Henderson and the fans mourn Jota at Anfield Anfield, Diogo Jota's home for five years, has become the heart of the fans' grief. Numerous floral tributes and tears were shed by those who loved him not only for his goals but for the example of professionalism, dedication, and humanity he always embodied wearing the Liverpool jersey. Among those who came to the stadium was former captain Jordan Henderson, particularly moved. Cancelo, Neves, and Neto in tears during the minute of silence The national teammates, engaged in the Club World Cup, couldn't hold back tears during the minute of silence. João Cancelo and Rúben Neves broke down in emotional tears, surrounded by the affection of their teammates. Pedro Neto, deeply touched, took to the field with a commemorative Blues jersey, with the names of Diogo and André printed on the chest, in a gesture full of pain and respect. Oasis, a chilling tribute at their historic concert After fifteen years of absence, Oasis returned to the stage with a special event in Cardiff. During the performance of Live Forever, the band dedicated a heartfelt tribute to Diogo Jota, stirring great emotion among the audience. A profound gesture, received with a long, emotional applause. Liverpool to pay salary until its expiration Liverpool has reacted with deep involvement to the passing of Diogo Jota, showing a commitment that goes beyond mere condolences. Additionally, as reported by Record, the club has decided to guarantee the payment of the remaining two years of his contract to the player's family. Advertisement Already on Thursday, the club had expressed the desire to "immortalize" and retire the number 20 jersey, worn by Jota during the conquest of the last Premier League, the twentieth in the history of the Reds. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here. 📸 MARK NAFTALIN - AFP or licensors
