Erling Haaland is one of the latest soccer stars to pay a heartfelt tribute to Liverpool forward Diogo Jota following his death in Spain.
Jota lost his life in a car accident alongside his brother Andre in the early hours of Thursday morning. Local media first broke the news of Jota's passing before an official statement from Liverpool confirmed the death of the club's No. 20 and his younger sibling.
A number of players from the Premier League and beyond have taken to social media, with Manchester City man Haaland posting a photo of Jota and an emotional caption on his Instagram story.
Along with a black and white image of the Portuguese international, Haaland wrote to his 38 million followers: "RIP Diogo, way too soon."
Jota and Haaland had found themselves on opposite sides of one of the biggest Premier League rivalries of recent years, with Liverpool and City often battling it out at the top of the Premier League.
Last season, it was the Reds who came out on top, taking back the Premier League crown after the Manchester club had one the previous four. Jota played his part in securing a record 20th English league title, playing 26 times and scoring six goals throughout the campaign.
He last featured out on the field just last month, helping his native Portugal win the UEFA Nations League final against Spain in Germany. Jota did so alongside arguably his country's greatest ever player in Cristiano Ronaldo, who like Haaland paid tribute to the striker online.
Ronaldo wrote: "It doesn't make sense. Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you got married. To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you."
The Portugal captain's emotional tribute came after Liverpool confirmed the news of Jota's passing to their fans online. "Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota," a club statement read on Thursday.
"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."
Diogo Jota lifted the Premier League title at the end of the season
Diogo Jota lifted the Premier League title at the end of the season
Haaland's City was one of the first Premier League clubs to pay their own tribute to the Liverpool No. 20, as the former Premier League champions wrote: "Everyone at Manchester City is shocked and saddened to learn about the devastating news regarding the passing of Diogo Jota.
"We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends and everyone at Liverpool Football Club at this difficult time. Rest in peace, Diogo." Similar tributes have been paid by Liverpool's Merseyside neighbors, Everton, as well as Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea.