A number of Diogo Jota's team-mates, including former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold, are set to return to action only days after his death
Diogo Jota celebrates with Portugal team-mate Ruben Neves and former Liverpool team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold
Diogo Jota celebrates with Portugal team-mate Ruben Neves and former Liverpool team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold
(Image: (L) Maja Hitij - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)/ (R) Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The FIFA Club World Cup resumes on Friday night (July 4) as the quarter-finals get underway. But it will be most difficult for a number of players involved following the tragic death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota.
The 28-year-old was killed in a car accident, along with his brother, Andre Silva, in the early hours of Thursday morning (July 3). It's been reported the accident, on the A52 known as Palacios de Sanabria, near the city of Zamora, was the result of a blown-out tyre that led to their vehicle veering off the road.
Liverpool delayed the start of pre-season following Jota’s death, after the first phase of players had been due to report to the AXA Training Centre on Friday (July 4).
But with a number of his team-mates, past and present currently competing in the Club World Cup in the United States, it remains to be seen if they will participate following Jota’s death.
Al-Hilal take on Fluminense in the first quarter-final on Friday night, with manager Simeone Inzaghi admitting it will be difficult for the two Portugal players in his ranks, Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo.
"We all know it's a sad day because of what happened to Diogo and Andre, unfortunately, these are things that shouldn't happen, which happened," said the Italian. "As we are all aware, we have two Portuguese players, Ruben Neves and Cancelo, who were very close to the guys.
“Clearly today was a difficult day for everyone. We tried to work but clearly, the atmosphere today was not the same as other days. It was a tragedy.
Al-Hilal left-back Moteb Al Alharbi said the team had tried to be supportive to the Portuguese pair.
"From the moment we woke up today we were shocked by the news,” he said. “They are team-mates of his and we all felt the sadness but we were all around them. I also believe they will be ready although they have this shocking news.
“They were not at their best emotionally but I believe they will be focused for the game," added Saudi winger Khalid Alghannam.
Following Jota’s death, Neves wrote on social media: “They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you!"
Meanwhile, Cancelo posted: “Today, we didn't just wake up without two football players. Today, three children woke up without their father.
“Today, a mother and father woke up without their two sons. Today, a woman (they had recently gotten married) woke up without her husband by her side.
“Today, we all woke up in shock. Today, the world is mourning one of those rare moments when we can stop, show honest feelings, and put things in perspective to appreciate what we have and what is not guaranteed: tomorrow.”
Elsewhere, former Reds goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga is part of the Fluminense travelling squad in the United States but is yet to make an appearance for the club.
Of course, Neves and Cancelo aren’t Jota’s only Portuguese team-mates competing in the Club World Cup. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has already confirmed that he will leave it up to Portugal international Pedro Neto to decide whether he will play in their own quarter-final in the early hours of Saturday morning (UK time).
“It’s a very sad day. I struggle to find the words because it’s very difficult,” Maresca said ahead of the game. “The feeling that you have is you feel a bit helpless in this kind of situation.
“The only thing that I can say is all my love to his family and the people who, in this moment, it’s a big tragedy for them.
“For Pedro, he is very sad. Probably more than sad, but we are close to Pedro to support him in the moment.
“It’s completely Pedro’s decision [whether he plays against Palmeiras]. I had a chance this morning with Pedro and we support him. Any decision he takes is the correct one, and we are going to support him in any case.
“It does not matter if he will be on the pitch or not tomorrow, we will see how he is feeling tomorrow. But in any case, we will support him.”
Chelsea do possess a second Portuguese in their squad in Portugal Under-21s midfielder Dario Essugo. While he has not played alongside his compatriot, it would be little surprise if he chose to pay tribute to Jota against Palmeiras.
A number of Portuguese players could also be involved in the third quarter-final between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich on Saturday afternoon.
Goncalo Ramos, Vitinha, Nuno Mendes and Joao Neves are all in the Parisians’ squad, while the Bavarians boast fellow Portugal internationals Joao Palhinha and Raphael Guerreiro.
Following Jota and Silva’s death, Vitinha posted on Instagram: “I still don't believe it. All the strength possible for the family. Thank you for everything Andre and Jota”.
Ramos, Mendes and Palhinha would also pay tribute on Instagram after both PSG and Bayern Munich took part in minute silences before their respective training sessions.
And finally, former Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold is scheduled to be in action against Borussia Dortmund in the final quarter-final on Saturday evening.
The England international had posted a heartbreaking tribute to his former Reds team-mate on Thursday as he wrote on Instagram: "It’s so difficult to find the right words when your head and heart are struggling to accept that someone you care so much about has gone.
"Diogo, your family was your world. They were everything. For Rute, his children, and his parents, all of our hearts are broken. And for Andre as well. Brothers and best friends. When it’s less painful, I want to remember Diogo with a big smile.
"So many laughs and happy moments. He was such a great teammate and a true friend. Forever number 20. Rest in peace, Diogo."
Alexander-Arnold also took part in a minute’s silence alongside his Real Madrid team-mates prior to their training session on Thursday.
Only time will tell if any of the aforementioned players take to the field at a time when the loss of Jota is still so raw.
But as the footballing world watches on in the most difficult of circumstances, a message to Jota’s friends still committed to FIFA Club World Cup duty: You Will Never Walk Alone.