The football world is in a state of complete and utter shock following the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva.
Tributes have been pouring in for former Wolves star Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident.
It is a truly heartbreaking situation, with Jota having gotten married just two weeks ago.
He leaves behind a wife and three children, his devastating loss will be felt by the footballing world for some time.
Fans of all clubs have today been sharing their feelings about Diogo Jota, and what a superb player he really was.
Some have also shared instances of meeting Jota, noting what a fantastic person he was in addition to being a top player.
This evening, there has been word from potentially the most senior figure at Wolves, chairman Jeff Shi, and Matt Wild, the club’s director of football operations & administration, about Jota.
Jeff Shi delivers beautiful eulogy on Diogo Jota
Diogo Jota scoring for Wolves against Espanyol.
Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images
In recent days, Jeff Shi had spoken about Jota on a podcast appearance, and talked about how he regretted his sale in 2020.
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Jota left the club to join Liverpool in a £45 million transfer deal, and at the time, his exit left many supporters gutted.
That was because Jota had been an exceptional player for Wolves, and people knew that Liverpool were getting an outstanding attacker.
Tonight, Shi has commented on Jota’s passing and delivered a beautiful tribute.
He said (via Wolves official): “Diogo was a top player and, for me, one of the top three players in the whole 10 years that Fosun and I have been here.
“But he was also a nice boy who was very warm, very nice and always understanding, but he was also demanding. As a top player, you sometimes have to demand your teammates to do well, and although he was never a player on the pitch to shout, you could always see what he wanted from you.
“He was a very positive and optimistic guy and he could even give the chairman confidence, but he was a guy with very clear ideas. He was smart, intelligent and also very decisive in his actions. I feel he had the potential to become a very good CEO or entrepreneur in the future because he was very clear with what he wanted to do.
“Diogo will be sorely missed by everyone here at Wolves and our thoughts go out to his family and friends.”
Jeff Shi at Molineux.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Matt Wild pays tribute to ‘humble’ Diogo Jota
“We are all completely shocked. It’s such devastating news, not only for the passing of Diogo, which is just tragic enough, but to lose his brother as well.
“Leaving behind his wife, his three young children and the loss of his brother, it’s so difficult to comprehend. It’s just so sudden, it’s such a shock, and I think it will take a lot of us some time to process and come to terms with it.
“The impact he had at Wolves was huge. He was only here for three years, but what an important three years. To be part of that Championship winning squad that got us to the Premier League, then get us into Europe the following year, to being part of the European journey that we had.
“There are so many great times that all the people here – the fans, the players and the staff – have all experienced together and he was very much part of that. We’ll all be looking back on those memories today, the part he played in it and our time with him.
“Diogo embodied our values at the club. He was so humble, so kind, so professional, but yet determined and hungry. Everyone’s witnessed his progression throughout his career, from such a young age, to go to Liverpool at the age of 23 and go on to great success there, he’s won lots of trophies and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.”
Diogo Jota was an electrifying talent and an even better person
It is so difficult to comprehend today’s news, and many will not be able to wrap their heads around this for some time.
Jota was truly a privilege to watch play football.
He was introduced to English audiences in 2017, when he joined Wolves initially on loan from Atletico Madrid.
He ripped up the Championship and helped Wolves gain promotion to the Premier League.
Diogo Jota celebrates after scoring for Wolves.
Photo by Sam Bagnall – AMA/Getty Images
He would leave the club in 2020 to join Liverpool, and went on to shine in the red of Liverpool, with whom he won two Premier League titles.
Jota was such a special talent. Not only was he a brilliant, dangerous and versatile attacker, he also kept himself incredibly honest. He was a workhorse, and a warrior – and Wolves fans loved him dearly for it.
RIP Diogo, you will never be forgotten.