Latest news with #JesseMotlop
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jesse Motlop's Heartwarming Celebration in Tribute to Diogo Jota
Jesse Motlop's Gesture for Diogo Jota Resonates Worldwide The world of football rarely stops. But when it does, it is usually for a moment like this. Diogo Jota, beloved Liverpool forward and father of three, tragically lost his life in a car crash alongside his younger brother, André Silva. The accident has cast a long shadow over football, not only in Merseyside and Portugal but across continents and codes. Advertisement Jota's passing has struck a chord with fans and players alike. His body and that of his brother returned to their hometown of Gondomar in the early hours of Friday, and their joint wake is taking place at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar. The outpouring of grief is palpable. Thousands of supporters have already gathered at Anfield, draping scarves and flowers across the Shankly Gates in silence and sorrow. He wasn't just a scorer of goals. He was, in the words of many, 'a true family man.' Jota brought a certain kind of joy to the game — one that lived in the moments after he scored, often celebrated with playful nods to his love of gaming. Jesse Motlop's Tribute from Down Under It was that very joy which Jesse Motlop, the Carlton Football Club forward, honoured in style. In a match for his AFL side, Motlop scored and then dropped to the turf, legs crossed, arms miming the holding of a video game controller — a gesture instantly familiar to any Liverpool supporter. It was the same celebration Jota used in April 2023, when he netted the 94th-minute winner against Spurs at Anfield. That mad 4-3 game may now be remembered for more than just its drama. It was one of Jota's signature moments, one that displayed his character as much as his finishing. Advertisement At the time, AFL commentators were momentarily baffled. But the meaning behind Motlop's act soon became clear. 'Those who know these things better than us are telling us the Motlop celebration is in tribute to Diogo Jota, the Liverpool player who lost his life in a car accident yesterday,' said Fox Footy's Gerard Whateley. 'That was one of his trademark celebrations.' Worldwide Tributes Continue to Pour In Motlop's tribute may have come from another code, but it was instantly recognisable to football fans around the world. Tributes have not been in short supply either. The UEFA Women's European Championship clash between Spain and Portugal observed a minute's silence on Thursday night. It was a quiet, poignant moment that underlined the scale of the loss. Advertisement Back in England, the FA is said to be in discussions with Liverpool FC about organising a tribute at this year's Community Shield. With Wembley hosting the traditional curtain-raiser on August 10, it's likely that Jota will be remembered by club and country on the biggest stage possible. Legacy Beyond the Goals Diogo Jota made an impact in more ways than one. His goals mattered, but it was the way he carried himself that made him a favourite on Merseyside. In a game where egos often dominate, Jota remained grounded, relatable and real. He brought joy to those who watched him, and to see a young Australian footballer nod to his legacy on the other side of the planet is testament to how far his influence travelled. Jesse Motlop's gesture may have lasted only a few seconds, but the meaning behind it runs much deeper. For Liverpool, for Portugal and for the wider football community, Jota's memory lives on.
News.com.au
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
‘Goosebumps': Jesse Motlop's touching Diogo Jota move
Jesse Motlop drew an emotional reaction from fans on both sides of the globe following his tribute to Liverpool striker Diogo Jota on Friday night. Jota's death in a car accident on Thursday shocked world sport, leading to an outpouring of grief for a popular goalscorer and father of three who had just celebrated his wedding. Murals and tributes have been set up at Anfield and his native Portugal as fans try to come to terms with the death of the 28-year-old, along with his brother Andre Silva, 26. Jota was also known among the Liverpool supporter base for his unique goal celebrations and young Carlton half-forward Motlop drew on one of them against Collingwood at the MCG. Watch Jesse Motlop's tribute to Jota in the player above Jota was also a handy gamer and after he scored the winning goal in the 94th minute against Tottenham in a 4-3 thriller back in 2023, he sat crossed legged and mimicked playing a video game. And that's exactly what 21-year-old Motlop did after he kicked a goal for the battling Blues late in the opening quarter. The commentators initially had no idea what Motlop was up to and it wasn't until a replay later in the Fox Footy broadcast that they had been informed of its meaning. 'Those who know these things better than us are telling us the Motlop celebration is in tribute to Diogo Jota, the Liverpool player who lost his life in a car accident yesterday,' Gerard Whateley said. 'That was one of his trademark celebrations.' The moment was picked up by football fans across the globe. Liverpool fan Nick Karra posted a photo on X of Motlop's moment and wrote: 'Class from Jesse Motlop! YNWA and rest easy Diogo Jota.' YNWA refers to Liverpool's famous motto, You'll Never Walk Alone. Another Liverpool fan tweeted: 'All class from Jesse Motlop there, watching the game RIGHT NOW & when I tell you the amount of goosebumps I had when I clocked what he was doing … Still can't wrap my head around the fact our boy Diogo Jota is gone.' The official AFL account on X was quick to pick up on the symbolism, tweeting the video with the caption: 'For the late @LFC star Diogo Jota.' One fan replied: 'I'm no soccer fan but respect.' Another fan joked: 'Didn't think a Blues player scoring a goal would make me shed a tear. Full respect to Motlop.' Anfield Agenda, a YouTube channel dedicated to the Red, also saw the moment and tweeted: 'AFL player Jesse Motlop just dedicated his goal to Diogo Jota by using Jota's trademark celebration.' Aussie Liverpool fan Mark Ashton also wrote: 'This is wonderful. The great @DiogoJota18 touched all. A beautiful tribute from Jesse Motlop in the @AFL.' Ashton then tagged a series of Liverpool podcasts and fan pages. Carlton's official X account also showed some class by tweeting photos and a video of the moment and using part of Liverpool's official fan chant for Jota in the caption. 'He's a lad from Portugal, Better than Figo don't you know. Oh his name is Diogo,' the Blues wrote. Sports presenter Adam Palombi offered: 'The Jota tribute by Motlop was utterly beautiful.' Motlop's moment wasn't the only one being noticed during the Blues' clash with the old enemy. Carlton coach Michael Voss, who is under enormous pressure following a wretched recent run from his side, was seen in the first half sitting on some stairs in an odd position at the MCG. After Dan McStay kicked a late first-quarter goal to put the Pies in front, Anthony Hudson said: 'Michael Voss watches on from the aisle. Every time he feels the movie is looking a bit better, there's a twist he doesn't like and doesn't see coming.' Hudson later added: 'Michael Voss watches a little uncomfortably from upstairs.' Collingwood great Dane Swan also spotted the unusual look. He tweeted: 'Voss surely can't see the whole ground sitting back row on the stairs against the wall. That is one strange spot for the head coach to be sitting.' Perhaps he didn't want to watch, with the Pies opening up an eight-goal lead in the third term.
News.com.au
04-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
AFL round 17 Carlton v Collingwood: Scores, news from MCG
Collingwood has kicked clear of a struggling Carlton as the Blues' season continues to spiral. Captain Patrick Cripps could be seen pointing in an animated discussion with Zac Williams as the Blues trod off the field at half-time, carrying a 24-point deficit. It only got worse after the major break as the Magpies put the foot down on their arch rivals. After a bright start for Carlton, a glaring skill gap between the two sides opened up as an efficient Collingwood took over, with Nick Daicos heading into the shed with 15 disposals and a goal to his name. Daicos was brilliant in the first half despite plenty of attention from George Hewett. While the Blues have found the ball often, continuous errors from the likes of Adam Cerra and Blake Acres put a stop to potential attacks. Amid a quiet season, Blues forward Jesse Motlop had one notable moment in the first term, when he converted a goal and then sat down to recreate the celebration of Liverpool soccer player Diogo Jota, who tragically died this week in a car crash at the age of 28. Motlop sat down cross-legged and pretended to play with a gaming console, reminiscent of a trademark Jota celebration. Motlop hits the Diogo Jota celebration 🎮 â�¤ï¸� ðŸ'° Watch #AFLBluesPies LIVE on ch. 504 or stream on Kayo: âœ�ï¸� BLOG ðŸ'¢ MATCH CENTRE — Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) July 4, 2025 SELWOOD RETURNS Collingwood assistant coach Scott Selwood has made a welcome return to Craig McRae's coaching box, back at a Magpies game for the first time since the tragic passing of his older brother Adam. The forwards coach of the Pies, Selwood has taken time away from the club and hasn't been at a match since Adam's death on May 17, the same day Collingwood faced Adelaide in round 10. Adam's twin Troy passed away earlier this year. A beloved figure at the Pies, Selwood was given as much time away as he needed but he returned to the club in other duties last month. Great to see Scott Selwood back at the club and in the coaches box tonight for the Pies after such a tough year. Collingwood has rejigged its coaches box in recent weeks but so happy to have their forwards coach back at the club as he grieves the loss of his brothers @foxfooty — Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) July 4, 2025 Selwood ran a marathon around Albert Park in Melbourne on June 14, honouring a commitment to take on the hard yards as part of Carrie Bickmore's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer charity. He described the effort as a 'meaningful way to make a difference' and was proud to honour his brothers by going through the run.
