Jota was tragically killed alongside his brother when their car burst into flames
They had been travelling back to England when a trye blew during an overtake
Alexander-Arnold is the latest of team-mates past and present to pay tribute
By LEWIS BROWNING
Published: 16:32 EDT, 3 July 2025 | Updated: 16:37 EDT, 3 July 2025
Trent Alexander-Arnold has paid tribute to former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota following the 28-year-old's tragic passing on Thursday.
Jota, along with his brother Andre, 26, were pronounced dead on Thursday morning after a car crash that saw a tyre on his lamborghini blow out while he was overtaking another car.
The car is said to have rolled and burst into flames, with emergency services unable to save the footballing duo. Jota's brother, Andre Silva, 26, played for Portuguese second division side Penafiel.
Jota and Silva wereheaded to Santander to catch a ferry to Britainafter Diogo was advised not to fly following lung surgery, it was reported in his home country. Liverpool are due to start pre-season training on Tuesday, so Jota was heading back to the UK on a road trip with his brother less than two weeks after he married his childhood sweetheart Rute in his home city of Porto on June 22.
A number of Liverpool team-mates and staff past and present have paid tribute to Jota following his death, including Arne Slot, Jurgen Klopp, Andrew Robertson and James Milner.
Now, Alexander-Arnold, who joined Real Madrid from Liverpool at the start of the summer, has taken to social media to give his own message, and detailed how much Jota's family meant to him.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is the latest Liverpool player past and present to pay tribute to Diogo Jota after his death
The forward tragically passed away on Thursday when his car burst into flames following an overtake
Alexander-Arnold wrote that Jota's family 'were his world' as he spoke of the pain he feels
'It's so difficult to find the right words when your head and heart are struggling to accept that someone you care so much about has gone,' Alexander-Arnold wrote.
He continued: 'Diogo, your family was your world. They were everything. For Rute, his children, and his parents, all of our hearts are broken. And for Andre as well. Brothers and best friends.
'When it's less painful, I want to remember Diogo with a big smile. So many laughs and happy moments. He was such a great teammate and a true friend.
'Forever number 20. Rest in peace, Diogo.'
The duo played together for Liverpool for five years until Alexander-Arnold's controversial departure, which came at the end of last season.
The defender, who had been on Liverpool's books since he was a child, left his boyhood club after winning the Premier League title alongside Jota to move to Spain.
Together, Alexander-Arnold and Jota played together 144 times for Liverpool, combining for 10 goals in terms of one setting up the other.
The England defender is currently in the United States with Madrid, participating in the Club World Cup. He was seen bowing his head as the team carried out a minute silence before training on Thursday.
Together, Alexander-Arnold and Jota played together 144 times for Liverpool
Club captain Virgil van Dijk, meanwhile, wrote that Jota 'meant so much to all of us and you always will'
Club captain Virgil van Dijk wrote on Instagram: 'Man, I can't believe it, I don't wanna believe it. Absolutely devastated and in total disbelief.
'What a human being, what a player, but most importantly what an unbelievable family man.
'You meant so much to all of us and you always will! For your family to lose two sons, a husband and a father is just unimaginable. So cruel and unfair. My heart is breaking for all of your beautiful family, for Rute and for your kids. I promise you that in these difficult times and beyond we will always be there for your family.
'A champion forever, number 20 forever. It's been a privilege to have stood by your side on the pitch, and to have been your friend off it.
'We will miss you beyond words and never forget you. Your legacy will live on, we will make sure of it!
'Rest in perfect peace Diogo & Andre.'