Steven Gerrard distraught, Darwin Nunez's powerful tribute for Diogo Jota; tearful Liverpool fans make emotional plea
ByHT Sports Desk
Jul 03, 2025 05:46 PM IST
Diogo Jota died in a car accident, along with his brother Andre, in the early hours of Thursday in the northern province of Zamora, in Spain.
Club legends Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard led tributes for Liverpool star Diogo Jota, who passed away on Thursday. The 28-year-old, who spent five years at Anfield and played a crucial role in the team's Premier League win last season, died in a car accident, along with his brother Andre, in the early hours of Thursday in the northern province of Zamora, in Spain.
Darwin Nunez penned a powerful tribute for Diogo Jota
Darwin Nunez penned a powerful tribute for Diogo Jota
"RIP Diogo. Condolences to his family and friends during this incredibly sad time," wrote Gerrad, while Carragher added: "Devastating news about Diogo Jota & his brother Andre this morning. Thoughts are with everyone of their family & friends, especially his wife Rute & their three lovely kids."
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Liverpool forward and teammate Darwin Nunez, who played alongside Jota for three season, posted a powerful tribute on Instagram. He wrote: "There are no words of comfort for so much pain. I will always remember you with your smile, as a good companion on and off the field.
"I send all my strength to his family, from where he is I'm sure he will always be with you, especially his wife and three children. May he rest in peace. Diogo and Andre."
The shocking news also left Liverpool fans, who witnessed Jota score the derby winner against Everton and also win the FA Cup in 2022 and League Cup in 2022 and 2024 with the Merseyside outfit, devastated as they lined up outside Anfield to pay their tribute.
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Standing next to the Hillsborough Memorial that honours the 97 killed in the 1989 stadium disaster, 53-year-old Anthony Ferns of Prescot teared up as he urged Liverpool to retire Jota's No. 20 jersey.
"I live 10 minutes away and rushed over when I heard the news. I still can't believe it. It's like something from a disaster movie," he told the Daily Express.
"He had only just got married and had kids. Now his wife's a widow. It's truly awful. His parents have also not just lost Diogo but his brother too. They have lost both boys. My heart goes out to them.
"The club is amazing and at moments of crisis like this they come into their own.
"I was there at the parade and the club really supported the fans. They will do that again.
"The first home game of the season will be all about Jota and rightly so. The fans will want to show his family how much he meaned to us and how much we loved him.
"Now I think the club should honour him straight away and retire the No.20 shirt he wore. That would be a fitting tribute. That shirt was his and he wore it with pride. You Never Walk Alone."
Another fan, Maria Honess, 53, choked up as she told the website what the Portuguese star meant for her and her husband Allen, also 53.
She said: "I had to wipe the tears away this morning when I heard the news. At first I thought 'this has to be fake and some malicious social media viral message' but then I looked at the paper websites and saw it was true.
"As a player he was brillaint and you could tell he was the same as a man and husband and father.
"For this to happen just 10 days after his wedding is tragedy upon tragedy. His poor family. I feel for them so much."
Liverpool
Diogo Jota
Steven Gerrard
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