Republic of Ireland international Caoimhín Kelleher has paid an emotional, heartfelt tribute to former teammate Diogo Jota, who died on Thursday in a car crash in Spain.
Liverpool’s Jota tragically died alongside his brother Andre Silva in the early hours of Thursday morning. He only recently married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, whom he had three children with.
Kelleher and Jota had developed a ‘bromance’ before the Irishman left Anfield this summer; Kelleher was even a guest at Jota’s wedding in his home city of Porto last month.
Caoimhín Kelleher takes to Instagram to pay tribute to Diogo Jota
Posting his tribute to Jota on the social media site Instagram, Kelleher said:
“Jots.
“Can’t believe I’m writing this right now and I’m finding it hard to put into words, I’m absolutely devastated by this news.
“All my thoughts and condolences are with Rute and their three beautiful kids and Diogo and Andre’s family.
“It was a such a pleasure to get to know you over these years and to share some special memories on the pitch and even more so off it .
“You became one of my closest friends in football. We bonded over all things sports, watching any football match we could find, often your brother Andre’s game on your iPad.
“I was surprised a lad from Portugal loved sports such as darts, snooker and horse racing so much, and some of my best memories were having a laugh watching them with you.
“You were such a fun genuine, normal down to earth and loving family man and always very competitive. I’m gonna miss our pre-match programme quiz.
“I feel so blessed and grateful to have seen you on your happiest day, the day of your wedding, and to be able to share in that day with you was special. I’ll never forget it.”
Tributes flood in from Liverpool player
Jota was a very popular person on and off the pitch; it’s clear he wasn’t just a talented footballer but a kind-hearted, good, honest human being.
Since the tragic news about Jota and his brother’s deaths was announced on Thursday, many Anfield players have paid tribute.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and Conor Bradley also took to Instagram to express his grief and said he was “absolutely devastated and in total disbelief.” While Bradley added that Jota was “an incredible footballer and even better person”
Andy Robertson also paid tribute to Jota, calling him “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.
“Thank you for being in my life mate – and for making it better.”
Jose Manuel Macedo, parish priest at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme. Said that a wake for the two brothers took place at 8am on Friday ahead of their funeral at the Igreja Matriz on Saturday at 10am.