Lionel Messi is the latest big-name footballer to pay tribute to Diogo Jota after the Liverpool and Portugal star tragically died in a car crash.
Lionel Messi in action for Inter Miami.
Lionel Messi has paid an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota on social media.
(Image: Getty Images)
Lionel Messi has paid tribute to Liverpool star Diogo Jota, who tragically died on Thursday in a car accident. Jota, 28, passed away in the early hours in Zamora, Spain, alongside his brother Andre.
The tragic incident has led to an outpour of support - from across the world - as Jota's family and friends come to terms with his passing. Floral tributes were laid outside Anfield soon after the news was confirmed.
The Reds, Everton, Manchester United, and Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo have offered their condolences, among countless others, as the football world and wider community continues to mourn.
Liverpool City mayor Steve Rotheram and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer are among the many people outside of football to pay their respects.
And Messi has now paid tribute in an emotional post on his Instagram story.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or and 2022 World Cup winner posted a picture of Jota alongside the words "QEPD". The phrase is a Spanish initialism that stands for "que en paz descanse", which translates to "may he/she rest in peace" in English.
Lionel Messi has paid tribute to Diogo Jota.
Lionel Messi has paid tribute to Diogo Jota.
Lionel Messi has paid tribute to Diogo Jota. (Image: @leomessi)
Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes have confirmed that the club are looking to honour Jota with 'meaningful tributes'.
Edwards - who is Fenway Sports Group's (FSG) CEO of Football - signed Jota from Wolves while working in his previous role as Liverpool sporting director back in September 2020, with the Reds signing the forward in a deal worth up to £45m.
In a statement - released on behalf of Edwards and current Reds sporting director Hughes - the pair addressed the heart-breaking grief that the club and Jota's loved ones are suffering as they confirmed plans to honour him.
Released on the club website, it read: "There is nothing that we can say in this moment to ease the pain of such a devastating tragedy. We all feel utterly bereft right now.
"In such heart-breaking circumstances, it is our responsibility to acknowledge collective grief we are experiencing, to pay tribute to our Diogo, and to offer unwavering support to his family who remain our absolute priority at this time.
"Diogo's wife, Rute, their three beautiful children, his parents and wider family are facing an unimaginable loss.
"This tragic accident has taken not only Diogo, but also his brother, Andre Silva. We mourn them both equally. We must respect the family's privacy and give them the space to grieve in whichever way they need.
"Of course, we - his Liverpool family - are also struggling to come to terms with what has happened. As Diogo's teammates, friends and colleagues, we are consumed by shock and sorrow. We know our supporters, his national team, former clubs and teammates and the wider football community share in this grief.
"This is a tragedy that transcends Liverpool Football Club.
"In the coming days, we as a club will look to honour our beloved No.20 with the respect and affection he so richly deserves. We will strive to make these tributes meaningful and inclusive of our supporters - to whom Diogo meant so much.
"For now, we express a love that is filled with deep sorrow and pain. We have lost someone truly irreplaceable.
"Rest in peace, Diogo. YNWA."