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The Independent
13-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Preston v Liverpool live: Reds to play first match since death of Diogo Jota with tributes planned
Liverpool face Preston North End in a preseason friendly today in the first match since the death of Diogo Jota. Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva died in a car crash in Spain on 3 July, with the pair having been on their way to catch a ferry to England after the Liverpool forward was advised not to fly. Tributes flooded in for the siblings, with several Liverpool players and staff members attending the wake as well as the funeral in Gondomar on 5 July. Today's match was originally in doubt in the wake of the accident, though Liverpool confirmed that the game will go ahead and several tributes are planned ahead of kick-off at Deepdale. Players from both sides will wear black armbands, with a minute's silence taking place along with a rendition of the Liverpool anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. Diogo Jota: The fan favourite who achieved more than he ever dreamed possible The caption is more poignant now, even as the words have proved horribly wrong. 'Yes to forever,' wrote Diogo Jota, accompanying social-media pictures of his wedding to his long-time partner Rute Cardoso. Within two weeks, Jota's forever had ended, the Liverpool and Portugal forward killed in a car crash in Spain, along with his brother Andre Silva. His new wife is already a widow, his three young children left without a father. 'It doesn't make any sense,' said Cristiano Ronaldo, his Portugal captain. There is a feeling of shock whenever a life is suddenly cruelly cut short, and Jota was just 28. It is still greater when someone has seemed as full of life as Jota did. He was often a smiling figure; 'someone with an infectious joy,' Pedro Proenca, head of the Portuguese Football Federation, said. He was popular wherever he went. 'Diogo was adored by our fans, loved by his teammates and cherished by everyone who worked with him during his time at Wolves,' his previous club said. Wolves described themselves as 'heartbroken', Liverpool as 'devastated'. Diogo Jota: The fan favourite who achieved more than he ever dreamed possible The forward lifted trophies in his final games for both Liverpool and Portugal, writes Richard Jolly, two highlights of a career the little Portuguese dribbler never thought possible as a teenager who simply loved to play Chris Wilson13 July 2025 13:15 'I called him Diogo MacJota': Liverpool players find light in the darkness of teammate's tragic death Sometimes the worst of times can bring the best out of people. Liverpool have more proof than most. Their history was tinged by tragedy even before a car crash claimed the life of Diogo Jota on Thursday morning. Grief can be a particularly private emotion; and yet a life lived in public can sometimes compel people to respond to the wider world, whether or not they really want to. As the flowers outside Anfield show, Jota meant a lot to many who never met him. Those who did were probably in a sense of 'absolute shock', as Arne Slot put it. Processing the sudden loss of a friend, teammate and, as many were swift to say, a man whose primary roles were as husband, father and son in the age of social media can feel even harder; the hours of radio silence were immediately understandable but gave way to a series of moving messages. Kenny Dalglish, sadly practiced in such situations, 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.' Jurgen Klopp reflected the wider sense of powerlessness. 'There must be a bigger purpose, but I can't see it,' said the manager who brought Jota to Anfield. Liverpool stars find light in the darkness of 'Diogo MacJota's' death Diogo Jota's tragic passing leaves an irreparable hole in the Liverpool dressing room Chris Wilson13 July 2025 13:00 Diogo Jota: The Liverpool star and family man who married childhood sweetheart days before his death Liverpool and Portugal footballer Diogo Jota had married his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso, just 11 days before the car crash in Spain that killed him and his brother, Andre Silva. The couple had been together since 2013, and had three children together – two sons and a daughter, all three of whom were born during the Portuguese's time in Merseyside. Jota and Cardoso were married in Porto on 22 June in a ceremony attended by friends and family, including Jota's Liverpool teammate Andy Robertson, who led the touching tributes to the 28-year-old. Diogo Jota: The family man who married childhood sweetheart days before his death Jota played for teams including Atletico Madrid, Wolves and Liverpool in a career that brought plenty of success at club and international level Chris Wilson13 July 2025 12:45 Liverpool to retire No 20 shirt in memory of Diogo Jota Liverpool will permanently retire Diogo Jota 's No 20 shirt in memory of the forward after he was killed in a car crash with his brother Andre Silva last week. In a historic move, Liverpool confirmed plans to immortalise Jota's contribution to the team by retiring the No 20 jersey from all levels in what the club said was 'a unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person'. 'It was the number he wore with pride and distinction, leading us to countless victories in the process – and Diogo Jota will forever be Liverpool's number 20,' a club statement said. Liverpool to retire No 20 shirt in memory of Diogo Jota The number 20 will be retired at all levels in what Liverpool said was a 'unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person' Chris Wilson13 July 2025 12:30 How can I watch the match? The friendly will be broadcast live on ITV 1 in the UK, with coverage starting at 2.40pm. Subscribers can also watch the match online via ITVX. Liverpool's own channels will also have coverage, with the club's website stating that 'All Red Full and All Red Video members will be able to watch live'. Their coverage starts at 2.15pm BST. Chris Wilson13 July 2025 12:17 When is Preston vs Liverpool? The match will take place on Sunday, 13 July at Deepdale. Kick-off is set for 3pm BST, with tributes planned from around 2.45pm BST. Chris Wilson13 July 2025 12:12 Good afternoon Hello and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's friendly between Liverpool and Preston North End. The game at Deepdale sees Liverpool play their first match since the shocking death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. Tributes are planned for the siblings ahead of kick-off, with a rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' known to be among the plans. We'll have the latest updates here. Chris Wilson13 July 2025 11:59
Daily Mail
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Why Diogo Jota was football's nice guy: Tragic Liverpool star supported a struggling fan, gave away thousands of pounds to his team-mate and was the 'kindest in the neighbourhood'
The football world has been united in mourning for the late Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his younger brother Andre Silva, after the pair tragically passed away last week. Jota and his brother died when when their car crashed in the early hours last Thursday morning in northern Spain. The accident came just 11 days after Jota had married childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso, also 28, who is the mother of his two sons Dinis, four, and Duarte, two as well as his baby daughter Mafalda, who is just eight months old. An outpouring of emotion has followed in the days since the tragic events, with a joint funeral held last Saturday in their hometown of Gondomar, located near Porto. Liverpool manager Arne Slot and members of the first team squad were in attendance at the funeral to pay their respects, joining members of the brother's family and friends. Key figures from the Premier League champions' hierarchy, international team-mates and football greats from Portugal's past also attended to honour Jota and Andre Silva. Tributes have continued in the days since with Slot, his wife Mirjam and Reds defender Andy Robertson laying their own tributes outside Anfield, where thousands of Liverpool fans have paid homage in the days since. Jota will be forever loved by Liverpool fans for his contribution during his five years on Merseyside. He made 182 appearances for the Reds and netted 65 times, while he provided 26 assists. He was part of the Liverpool squad that won the Premier League title last season and previously won the FA Cup and two League Cups. Jota's impact was also felt by those off the field, with fans and players recalling his acts of kindness in the days since his death. Luis Diaz has been among those to speak in glowing terms about his late team-mate. 'It's very difficult to receive news like this, it's very sad,' he told WinSportsTV earlier this week. 'No one is prepared for this, he was a key companion when I arrived in Liverpool because his family welcomed me and we formed a great friendship. We had a healthy rivalry and it was important.' Diaz also took time to look back on the support that Jota provided him when the Colombian's father Luis Manuel was kidnapped in their hometown of Barrancas in October 2023. Jota's generosity to Diaz began before the Colombian joined Liverpool, after he gave up thousands when allowing the winger to move out of the house he rented from him early Jota had the idea to hold up a 'Diaz 7' jersey in a show of their support to their team-mate and his family when Liverpool went 1-0 up. Fittingly, Jota was the man to score the goal against Nottingham Forest, with the gesture one that the Colombian will always remember. 'He made a very nice gesture towards me, which I will never forget,' Diaz said. 'May he rest in peace, I have a great friend in my heart, who will always be remembered by his team. 'I want to send a lot of strength to his family, his wife, his children, because the truth is that they are suffering a lot with this. '(It hurts) a lot, a lot. It was incredible when I woke up and saw the news. The truth is I broke down in tears. It is a very, very, very big pain.' While the gesture is the one fans will most associate with Jota and Diaz, he has already shown kindness to the Colombian even before he arrived at Liverpool in January 2022 from Porto. Diaz had been renting Jota's house at the time in Porto, with the forward having enjoyed a loan spell himself at the club during the 2016-17 season. Jota had revealed in an interview with FourFourTwo in 2023 that he had allowed Diaz out of tenancy contract early after he joined Liverpool, a decision which would have have cost him thousands of pounds. 'He rented the house I'd lived in when I played for Porto,' Jota had said. 'He was paying me rent, then he ended up playing with me, and I often still bring that up during our conversations. 'He arrived in January and had a contract with me until July, but because he was going to be my team-mate, I let him out of the contract.' 4 years ago when my lad was at his lowest, Diogo took the time to record this for him and it helped more than he will ever know. It was a small task, but it meant to so much and I would have loved to have thanked for him personally for it. Thank you Diogo ❤️ — Ste Davies (@StevenD1977) July 3, 2025 Steven Davies, a big Liverpool fan, shared a video Diogo Jota sent to his son, Liam Liverpool manager Arne Slot and his wife Mirjam have paid their respects to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre after their tragic death Mail Sport's Lewis Steele recalled in his own tribute to Jota that the Liverpool star was a 'genuine, down-to-earth chap' and showed no signs of ego despite his success with both club and country. He revealed Jota had provided a glowing reference to a former Wolves staff member - having made his name at the Midlands club - when they were being interviewed for a role in Liverpool's media team late last year. The reference helped get his old colleague the job. Amid the tributes in recent days, one Liverpool fan, Steven Davies, had revealed Jota had got in touch after his own son Liam was going through a difficult time. Jota took the time to send Liam a video message of support, saying: 'Hello Liam, I believe that you are not having an easy time right now, so I just wanted to get in touch to say you have the support of everyone at Liverpool, just as you have always supported us. 'I'm no expert but whenever I'm struggling I always make sure I listen to the doctors and do exactly what they tell me to do, all the things they say, like eating and drinking the right stuff make a big difference for me whenever I'm struggling. 'Hopefully it will be the same for you. Take care of yourself and hopefully we will see you back in Anfield before too long.' After the shock news of Jota's passing emerged, Steven shared the old clip on social media to highlight the gesture. On X, he wrote: '4 years ago when my lad was at his lowest, Diogo took the time to record this for him and it helped more than he will ever know. 'It was a small task, but it meant to so much and I would have loved to have thanked for him personally for it. Thank you Diogo.' Jota's success on the pitch had included Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup glory with Liverpool, along with two UEFA Nations League triumphs with Portugal. The Premier League and second Nations League success came in the past two months, with his wedding to childhood sweetheart Rute part of one of the happiest periods of his life. Locals in his hometown of Gondomar, speaking last week, noted that Jota's achievements on the pitch had not changed his character. Jota was seen to have remained a grounded and kind character back home. 'The family came from very humble beginnings,' one local Ana, told the Guardian last week. 'Diogo was always such a kind kid – the ball never left his feet. 'He was always trying to help. He sent boots to my brother. If you needed something, it might take some time but he always came through.' Ex-Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana looked at tributes to Jota outside Anfield on Thursday Thousands of tributes have been left by fans in the wake of the tragedy earlier this month A memorial wall with the message 'Forever 20' has been created neat Anfield Fans have been leaving a series of messages in honour of Jota and his younger brother Another local Cosme Silva, who coached Jota's father, said the humility shown by Jota and his brother had been passed down through the family. 'They're such good people. Always generous, always willing to help,' he said. 'He stayed grounded. The fame never went to his head.' Given Jota's role in Liverpool and Portugal's success, as well as stories revealing further insight into his character, formal and long-lasting tributes appear a certainty. Liverpool fans have already established a mural near Anfield, with fans leaving their own messages to a player who will be 'forever 20'. On Friday, it was announced that Liverpool are permanently retiring the Number 20 jersey from each of their club's teams to honour Jota 's memory. It is the first time in their history they have made such a decision and it is a reflection of the measure in which he was held. There was talk immediately after the fatal accident that Liverpool would retire the No 20 but they only took this step after consultation with his widow and his family. It is widely acknowledged that this is a unique honour for a unique player, simply because Liverpool have extended the retirement to all levels: from the men's first team, to the women's side and all male and female Academy teams The Reds will also honour Jota when they take to the pitch for the first time since his death in a pre-season friendly against Preston on Sunday. The friendly, which will be played at Deepdale rather than Anfield, will begin after a rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone, while representatives from Preston will lay a wreath in front of the away stand. The fans and the players - who will play in black armbands - will then observe a minute's silence in honour of Jota and Silva, while 'digital tributes' will play on screens around the pitch. The hosts have also created a 'commemorative edition of the matchday programme' which is set to feature tributes to both of the men.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool players return for pre-season training following death of team-mate Diogo Jota
Respects have been paid to Jota outside Liverpool's training ground on Tuesday (Peter Byrne/PA Wire) Liverpool players have started to report back for pre-season at the club's training ground following the death of team-mate Diogo Jota. Mohamed Salah, Andy Roberston, Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley were among the players to arrive on Tuesday for the start of pre-season. Advertisement Some of the Liverpool squad had been scheduled to return for pre-season training on Friday but the club delayed their return after Jota was killed in a car crash alongside his brother Andre Silva last Thursday. Their funeral in their home town of Gondomar, near Porto, was attended by many of Jota's Liverpool team-mates and staff. Andy Roberston arriving at the Liverpool training ground on Tuesday (Peter Byrne/PA Wire) Liverpool's first pre-season friendly is scheduled for Sunday against Preston at Deepdale, but the Premier League champions have yet to announce whether the game will go ahead. The Reds, who will play FA Cup winners Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on August 10, are also scheduled to face AC Milan in Hong Kong and J1 League side Yokohama in Japan at the end of July. Advertisement Liverpool Women players Grace Fisk and Gemma Bonner laid a floral tribute for Jota and Andre Silva on behalf of their team outside Anfield on Tuesday. There have also been tributes to Jota outside the football academy in Gondomar where he played and which is named after him.
New York Times
10-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Diogo Jota and The Athletic's Liverpool coverage: A message to our subscribers
Even now, a week on, it doesn't seem real. Diogo Jota should have been preparing to return to Liverpool this week after a glorious summer when he became a Premier League champion, a UEFA Nations League winner with Portugal and a husband to his long-term partner, Rute. Instead, his death at the age of 28 in a car crash that also claimed the life of his younger brother, Andre Silva, has left a club, a city and a sport gripped by grief. Advertisement In the past week, The Athletic tried to do justice to both Diogo's remarkable talent as a player and the qualities which made so many people warm to him: his spirit, generosity and determination. Andy Jones wrote about why Diogo will be remembered as far more than just a footballer; we have published moving personal reflections from James Pearce, Tim Spiers and Caoimhe O'Neill, all of whom interviewed him at Liverpool and previous club Wolves; Simon Hughes and Steve Madeley reported from Merseyside and Wolverhampton as fans tried to come to terms with the tragedy; and Jack Lang went to Portugal to see how Diogo's death had impacted his home city of Gondomar. His life and legacy were also discussed on special editions of The Athletic FC and Walk On podcasts, and we reported on the touching tributes to Diogo at the Club World Cup and at Euro 2025 — the latter especially poignant, given he was such a strong ally of women's football. Since the accident, we have deliberately not published any Liverpool articles that didn't relate to Diogo. It simply didn't feel right to be writing about football when a family, a club and a city were so consumed by sorrow. But just as Liverpool are trying to restore a semblance of normality to the club, with players now returning for pre-season testing and a friendly now confirmed as taking place against Preston on Sunday, we also have to think about returning to our usual coverage. There is no 'right' time to do this. We appreciate that some of you may be struggling to even think about football right now; others may see a 'normal' football article as a welcome escape from the sadness of the last few days. Both responses are completely valid. But with the new season now just a month away, you'll start to see Liverpool articles appearing on the range of subjects we usually cover: tactics, profiles, financial matters and, yes — in due course — transfers. Advertisement We will, of course, be considerate in terms of what we publish and mindful that many fans will still feel raw. And this doesn't mean the end of our coverage of Diogo. Far from it: we will continue to report on the investigation into what happened in the crash — you can read Daniel Taylor and Guillermo Rai's powerful account of what we know so far here — and there will be other significant moments in the weeks and months to come when he will be at the forefront of our coverage. In many ways, the whole season will be viewed through the prism of his loss. If there are topics you would like to see covered by The Athletic in the coming weeks, please let us know in the comments below. And thank you for your continued support of our coverage.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool immediately canceled preseason testing after tragic Diogo Jota news
Some Liverpool players were due back at the AXA Training Center last Friday but the club immediately canceled those plans when the news of Diogo Jota's death emerged the previous day. A handful of players were scheduled to return to training for tests on July 4 but the decision was swiftly taken that all players would return this week instead. Advertisement Following Jota's death, a staggered return was planned from Monday (July 7) before that was again pushed back to Tuesday (July 8) after Arne Slot and a number of Liverpool players attended Jota and his brother's funeral in Gondomar, on the outskirts of Porto, on Saturday (July 5). Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson were among the Liverpool players who were pictured arriving at Liverpool's training ground on Tuesday for the first day of pre-season. READ MORE: Liverpool fans unveil Diogo Jota wall of condolence near Anfield READ MORE: 'I was staggered by Diogo Jota's Anfield memorial - pictures don't do it justice' Advertisement Slot, Robertson, and FSG's CEO of football Michael Edwards journeyed to Anfield later in the day to add their contributions to Jota's memorial outside the stadium. Robertson left a message alongside a bouquet of flowers, which read: 'Our hearts are broken. But feeling very grateful for the memories you gave us all. I will miss you. Love you, brother. Robbo.' Slot, alongside his wife, laid a bunch of flowers and a card at the memorial. 'Diogo, we had the same dream and we fulfilled it together. Andre and yourself will always be in our hearts,' read the card, which was signed by Slot's family. Edwards, the CEO of Football for Fenway Sports Group, left a card that read: 'With love and remembrance. In honour of Diogo Jota - down to earth, determined, a great finisher, and above all, loved and respected by all who knew him. He gave everything to the team with quiet strength and unwavering humility. Advertisement 'His impact reached far beyond the pitch. Our thoughts are with his family and everyone who held him dear. Rest in Peace, Diogo.' Arne Slot and his wife observe the Jota memorial outside Anfield Spanish police believe that Jota was behind the wheel when the vehicle that he was traveling in last Thursday blew a tire, ultimately killing the Liverpool forward and his younger brother. The pair were making their way back to Liverpool by road ahead of the start of pre-season training; Jota had opted against flying on medical advice after undergoing lung surgery earlier in the summer. The official report into the crash has not yet been completed, but a statement from Spanish police on Tuesday (July 8) gave an update on where things stand. Advertisement In its second official statement regarding the crash, the Spanish Civil Guard said: 'The expert report is still being worked on and finalized. Among other things traffic police from the Zamora branch of the Civil Guard are studying the tread marked by one of the wheels of the vehicle. Everything is also pointing to a possible high excess of speed over the permitted speed on that stretch of the motorway. 'All the tests carried out for the moment point to the driver of the crash vehicle being Diogo Jota. The expert police report when it is finalized will be handed over to a court in Puebla de Sanabria.'
