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Conor Bradley recalls ‘trap’ joke and explains why he’s ‘forever grateful’ to Diogo Jota in…

Supporters remember a true fan favourite: “Our number 20 showed what it meant to play for the shirt.”

Diogo Jota of Wolverhampton Wanderers passes the ball during the UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying round 2nd Leg match between Crusaders and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Seaview Stadium on August 1, 2019 in Belfast (Credit: David Rogers/Getty Images)

Conor Bradley celebrates with goal-scorer Diogo Jota during a league game at Bournemouth in January 2024

Jota

Scene of crash

Connor Phillips is one of hundreds of LFC fans to pay tribute to Diogo Jota

Diogo Jota of Liverpool during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on February 06, 2025 in Liverpool (Credit: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

File photo dated 11-04-2024 of Diogo Jota and Jurgen Klopp. "Heartbroken" former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits he is struggling to comprehend the death of Diogo Jota. Issue date: Thursday July 3, 2025 (Credit: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

Cool FM's Pete Snodden loved going to Liverpool games with his late father, who passed away 10 years ago

Conor Bradley celebrates with goal-scorer Diogo Jota during a league game at Bournemouth in January 2024

Liverpool’s Conor Bradley has penned a new, full tribute to team-mate Diogo Jota.

The Portuguese forward (28) was killed alongside his brother André Silva (26) in a car crash in Spain — less than a fortnight after his wedding.

Shocked and grief-stricken Liverpool fans flocked to Anfield to lay flowers for their fallen hero.

The club said it was “devastated" by the news.

Bradley, who made his senior Liverpool debut in September 2021, recalled how Jota was one of the figures who helped him settle into life as a first team player.

Writing on social media, the 22-year-old said: "Where do I start what an incredible footballer but an even better person I feel really lucky to have spent a few years with you.

“Was always nice coming into the changing room in the morning and seeing you smiling and laughing and consistently calling me a hanger.

“Always remember the first time you invited me to your room to play FIFA I think everyone knows where this is going, we was playing and by half time I’m pretty sure I was 5-0 down that was the last time I was ever falling into that trap. ‍

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“When I first moved up from the academy you were always there for me and always helped me settle in with the lads which I’ll be forever grateful for.

“My thoughts are with your wife, children and family for losing both Diogo and Andre. I can’t imagine how tough this is for you all, as I know how tough this feels for me today.

“Love you jots and I’m sure we will meet again.”

The Co Tyrone man had earlier posted a photograph of himself and Jota with the Premier League trophy, alongside the caption: "Rest in peace brother. Don't have words to describe how I'm feeling but, I know we lost an incredible person today".

Liverpool manager Arne Slot said Jota was the "essence of what a Liverpool player should be".

He highlighted a side of Jota that people didn't get to see: "The person who never sought popularity but found it anyway. Not a friend to two people, a friend to everyone.

"Someone who made others feel good about themselves just by being with them. A person who cared deeply for his family."

He added that for all those in the club "the sense of shock is absolute", describing Jota as a "unique human being".

Slot referenced Jota's recent wedding, saying: "In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family, which makes it all the more heartbreaking that it should end like this."

Offering his condolences to Diogo’s wife, Rute, their three children and the parents of Jota and his brother André Silva, he concluded: “My message to them is very clear – you will never walk alone.”

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson said: “He was such a good guy. The best. So genuine. Just normal and real.

"Full of love for the people he cared about. Full of fun.

"He was the most British foreign player I’ve ever met. We used to joke he was really Irish… I’d try to claim him as Scottish, obviously. I even called him Diogo MacJota.”

He added: "I can’t believe we’re saying goodbye. It’s too soon, and it hurts so much.”

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who signed Jota from Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he once scored against Irish League side Crusaders, said he was "heartbroken".

The Prince of Wales also expressed his deep sadness, sending his condolences to all who knew Jota.

The crash occurred near Zamora in the north-west of Spain.

The local fire department said a car crashed shortly after midnight and burst into flames, with two men found dead.

Jota tied the knot with his partner Rute Cardoso on June 22, and leaves behind three young children.

Known for his clinical finishing at Liverpool, especially when games were tight, Jota also left a lasting legacy at Wolverhampton Wanderers FC.

He scored Wolves' first European goal in 39 years — and it came against Crusaders in 2019.

The English side won the two-legged tie 6-1, but it was Jota's opener at Molineux that really made history.

After the match, he was complimentary about the Crues’ efforts, saying: "To be honest, I didn’t know much about them before this game, but they were well organised and gave 100% in each tackle and each moment of the game, so they made it hard for us."

Crusaders manager Declan Caddell, who played in that match, recalled the occasion and expressed his sorrow: "It was an incredible game to be a part of, and Diogo Jota was a standout player.

“His tragic passing has shocked everyone in the world of football. On behalf of myself, the coaching staff, players, and the entire Crusaders family, I offer our sincere condolences to Diogo’s teammates, friends, and loved ones."

Local Liverpool fans also spoke of their shock.

Cool FM presenter Pete Snodden said: “Only 28 and just married — his whole life was in front of him.

Cool FM's Pete Snodden loved going to Liverpool games with his late father, who passed away 10 years ago

“Two brothers lost in the most tragic circumstances, my thoughts are with his wife, children and family. It's heartbreaking. He was an incredible footballer, scored phenomenal goals and a fan favourite.

“Our number 20 showed what it meant to play for the shirt. He gave his all and always had a smile on his face. Life can be so cruel.”

Radio Ulster broadcaster Connor Phillips recalled meeting the young forward at an airport a few years ago.

He said he walked up to him and said: “Liverpool — obrigado (the Portuguese word for ‘thank you’)”, to which Jota smiled.

Connor Phillips is one of hundreds of LFC fans to pay tribute to Diogo Jota

“I watched on when Jota signed for Liverpool, I was in the north of England at the time, and I remember his statement which he put out,” Connor explained.

“He said: ‘I am now at the biggest club of my career, and the best club of my career’.

“He fully bought into the whole Liverpool ethos very early on, and then as he did that, and just as a Liverpool fan, we all loved what he did.

“You could go through the whole 20, 30, 40 years of Liverpool players who came in, made an impact, but never got a song. But Diogo got a song, because he was brilliant.

“I think in the relatively short space of time he was at Liverpool, you could see why he became a cult figure.

“When you get a bit older, when you hear that a hero of yours has passed away, more often than not they're considerably older, more often than not they've had a wonderful, fruitful, long life, more often than not there's tributes coming from many generations of people.

“Jota's 28. I can't get my head around that.”

Tributes also flowed from the biggest names in world football.

Jota's international teammate Cristiano Ronaldo said the loss "doesn't make sense".

"We were only just in the national team together, you had only just got married," he said.

"To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish them 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."

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Jota's death was "devastating news" and "there are millions of Liverpool fans, but also football fans, and non-fans, who will also be shocked by this".

Liverpool mayor Steve Rotheram said he was "heartbroken" by the news and that Jota's death was a "huge loss to our city and the world of football".

At Anfield, hundreds of supporters passed the Liverpool flag — lowered to half-mast outside the famous old stadium — before making their way to an impromptu shrine outside the Main Stand.

The area quickly became a sea of red and white flowers, scarves and shirts; a blue Everton shirt amongst them, a tribute from a fan of their city rivals.

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