The tributes continue to pour in for Diogo Jota from a grieving Liverpool squad
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 01: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Diogo Jota and Caoimhin Kelleher of Liverpool during a training session on August 01, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Caoimhin Kelleher, pictured with Diogo Jota during last summer's tour of America, has paid tribute to his friend and former Liverpool team-mate
(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The tributes have continued pouring in for Diogo Jota from a grieving Liverpool squad still coming to terms with their team-mate's death. The Reds striker was travelling with his younger brother, Andre Silva, in northern Spain in the early hours of Thursday morning when his car was involved in a fatal crash.
It's been reported the accident, on the A52 known Palacios de Sanabria, near the city of Zamora, was the result of a blown-out tyre as Jota and Andre, himself a player for Portuguese side Penafiel, were making their way towards a ferry that was bound for the UK ahead of a return to pre-season training.
Tributes, inevitably, poured from various high-profile football names across Thursday including Jurgen Klopp, Jota's former manager at Anfield, and Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portugal international's Seleccao colleague.
The Liverpool squad themselves started adding their own personal tributes to the wave of online sentiment early evening on Thursday, with Reds skipper Virgil van Dijk leading the way alongside Andy Robertson, Ryan Gravenberch and former vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Those touching tributes came alongside words from club owners Fenway Sports Group, sporting director Richard Hughes and CEO of football Michael Edwards and head coach Arne Slot, who described Jota "the essence of what a Liverpool player should be".
Luis Diaz posted: "I have no words. It hurts me to the core, not only for what he was on the field, but for what he was off it. There are gestures one never forgets, and Diogo had one with me that will stay with me for life. My embrace is with Rute, their children, and their family. RIP, Diogo and Andre."
Kostas Tsimikas wrote: "'Oh he wears the number 20 and his name is Diogo.' We've moved to the club [in] the same period. We were the new boys in the city. We've shared and celebrated some of the best moments of our career together.
"Before one of our last ones you've said to me: 'You cross, I score'. And that's what happened (against Nottingham Forest in January). We laughed and talked about it lots.
"You were a special player, a special guy, a true legend Diogo. You'll always be remembered and always be loved. My heart and my prayers are with your family Rute, your boys, your little girl, your family and everyone who loved and waited for you both to go home. You and your brother Andre will be missed forever."
Former team-mate Caoimhin Kelleher, who moved to Bournemouth earlier this summer, reflected on their mutual love of horseracing, uploading an image of the pair alongside other club employees at this year's Cheltenham Festival.
Kelleher wrote: "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.
"You were deeply loved by everyone at the club, the city and all over the world. It’s gonna hurt for a long time and I’m gonna miss you so much but I feel so lucky to have got know you and have such a good friend. Love you Diogo."
Conor Bradley explained how Jota - a respected gamer - showed him no mercy when they agreed to play a match on the wildly popular FIFA franchise.
Bradley wrote: "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.
“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.”