Liverpool, Wolves and clubs across the world have paid tribute to Diogo Jota following his tragic passing at the age of 28.placeholder image
Liverpool, Wolves and clubs across the world have paid tribute to Diogo Jota following his tragic passing at the age of 28. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Tributes have been flying in after Liverpool’s Diogo Jota, a Wolves hero, died in a crash crash.
Wolverhampton Wanderers, Liverpool and the footballing community have paid their tributes to Diogo Jota after news that the Portugal international has passed away.
Jota, who was 28, died alongside his 26-year-old brother, Andre Silva, in a car accident in the province of Zamora, Spain. As confirmed by the Guardia Civil, the pair were travelling on the A-52 in a Lamborghini, which had a tire blow-out when overtaking another vehicle.
Jota was only married in Porto less than two weeks ago, to his long-term girlfriend Rute Cardoso. Their first child was born in 2021 and they welcomed their third baby in November.
Widely regarded a hero at Molineux, Jota scored 44 goals and provided 19 assists in 131 games for Wolves between 2017 and 2020. The forward was particularly prolific during the 2017/18 campaign as he scored 17 goals during Wanderers’ Championship promotion season.
Jota then signed for Liverpool in 2020 for a fee of £41 million. The Portugal international played 182 times for the Reds, scoring 65 goals and providing 26 assists. He helped the club lift the Premier League title last season and was also part of the side that won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup in 2022.
For his country, Jota recently lifted his second UEFA Nations League title with a 5-3 penalty shootout win over Spain after a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes and extra time. His first Nations League triumph came in 2019, when he was still a Wolves player.
Liverpool and Wolves pay tribute to Diogo Jota
Confirming Jota’s death, Liverpool have published an official statement. The Reds recently won the Premier League title, helped along the way by Jota’s involvement on an off the pitch. The club’s statement reads: “Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.
“Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request 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. We will continue to provide them with our full support.”
Meanwhile, Wolves have followed suit by publishing a tribute. It reads: “We are heartbroken. Diogo was adored by our fans, loved by his teammates and cherished by everyone who worked with him during his time at Wolves.
“The memories he created will never be forgotten. Our hearts go out to the family, friends and loved ones of Diogo and his brother, Andre. You will be truly missed, and always remembered.”
Footballing community comes together to honour Jota
It’s not just Liverpool and Wolves who have paid tribute to Jota as the wider footballing community, including clubs from far and wide, have paid their respects. Among those are West Midlands sides Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Villa wrote: “Everyone at Aston Villa Football Club would like to express their deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Diogo Jota and everyone at Liverpool Football Club at this tragic time.”
Meanwhile, Wolves’ local rivals West Brom said: “The thoughts of everyone at West Bromwich Albion are with Diogo and Andre’s family, friends and loved ones, as well as all associated with Liverpool at this desperately sad time. May they rest in peace.”
Birmingham, replying to Liverpool’s statement, wrote: “Everyone at Birmingham City sends their thoughts and condolences to everyone at Liverpool, including Diogo’s family and friends, at this incredibly difficult time.”
Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruben Neves and Raul Jimenez pay tribute
Jota’s former teammates Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruben Neves and Raul Jimenez are just three of many players to have offered their heartfelt condolences.
Posting to Instagram, Ronaldo wrote: “It doesn't make sense. Just now we were together in the National Team, and now you've gotten married. To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish you all the strength in the world. I know you'll always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and André. We'll all miss you.”
Neves, who now plays for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, said: "They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you!"
Jimenez, meanwhile, added: “It's hard to receive this kind of news, and I still can't believe it. An excellent colleague, friend, and above all, a great father. Thanks for everything, my friend. We'll always remember you. A hug to heaven.”
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