Mohamed Salah has admitted that he is 'frightened' about going back to Liverpool in the knowledge that Diogo Jota will not be there. On Thursday, it was confirmed that Jota had been tragically killed in a car accident in Spain alongside his younger brother Andre. The pair were travelling in a vehicle when it went off the A-52 road, causing a fire.
Local police said the incident was caused by a tyre blowout which occurred while the vehicle was overtaking another car. It came just two weeks after Jota married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso, with the couple having been together since 2012. Tributes have been flooding in since Liverpool announced the news of Jota's death, with Salah penning an emotional message on Friday.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Egyptian forward shared a black-and-white image of himself and Jota alongside the caption: "I am truly lost for words.
"Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me of going back to Liverpool after the break. Team-mates come and go but not like this. It’s going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won’t be there when we go back.
"My thoughts are with his wife, his children, and of course his parents who suddenly lost their children. Those close to Diogo and his brother Andre need all the support they can get. They will never be forgotten."
Salah is expected to cut his summer holiday short in the wake of Jota's death, according to Egyptian outlet Yallakora. The likes of Virgil van Dijk and Darwin Nunez have also written emotional messages on social media to honour their Liverpool team-mate.
Van Dijk said: "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 and Andre."
Nunez, meanwhile, added: "There are no words of comfort for so much pain. I will always remember you with your smile, as a good companion on and off the field.
"I send all my strength to his family, from where he is I'm sure he will always be with you, especially his wife and three children."
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