The heartbreaking passing of Diogo Jota has left the football community grieving – and plenty have taken the time to share positive interactions they had with the Liverpool footballer
15:04, 04 Jul 2025
Diogo Jota
The football community is mourning the loss of Diogo Jota(Image: Getty Images)
Diogo Jota is being remembered for the amazing impact he had on the world. Not only was he an incredible player on the pitch, he also made great strides in the wider football community. One such example, which has been going viral on social media since his tragic passing, shows the Liverpool and Portugal star addressing a little girl who was told "women can't play football".
On Facebook, Her Sport wrote: "We don’t often post about men’s sport, but today, we’re making space. At Liverpool FC, whenever there was a campaign about women or keeping girls in the game, Diogo Jota showed up. Not because he had to, because he understood WHY it mattered.
"Last year, he sat beside Ireland’s Leanne Kiernan on International Women’s Day and lent his voice to a message bigger than football. He spoke about the women who raised him, he spoke about his partner and the support she gives him.
"He glowingly mentioned Marta and Serena Williams as the kind of role models he hopes his daughter and his sons will grow up admiring. We believe everyone has a duty to care about equality and equity. Jota understood that and acted on it."A devastating loss for his family, his teammates and everyone who saw the strength of his character beyond the game. Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre."
Following the post, plenty of supporters were prompted to share their own memories of the trailblazing footballer.
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One mum shared a similar story, writing: "After my littlest got picked on at school for being a girl who loves football, just the typical phrases - ‘football isn’t for girls’ etc.
"Diogo noticed her waiting for him and spoke with so much respect and told her how important it was for her to stick [at it] and grow to be a role model to other little girls like his little girl! He was always a gentleman, too soon."
Diogo Jota and his brother tragically died after the Liverpool ace's Lamborghini flew off a road in northern Spain.
The Portuguese forward, 28, and his 26-year-old brother Andre Silva, who is also a footballer, were involved in a collision in Zamora on Thursday morning.
Heartbreakingly, Jota had celebrated his marriage to his childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso just two weeks earlier, who he shares three children with.
After the heartbreaking news, Liverpool Football Club said they "are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota."
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Their statement added: "The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.
"Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.
"We will continue to provide them with our full support."