Roberto Martinez, the Portugal national team head coach, has paid a heartfelt tribute to Diogo Jota, the Liverpool forward who died alongside his brother in a car crash earlier this week.
Jota made 49 appearances for his country in total and worked alongside Martinez, the Spanish former Everton manager, once he took charge of Portugal in 2023. In his most recent game, Jota won the UEFA Nations League, coming off the bench to replace Chelsea winger Pedro Neto in extra time, 15 minutes before his side won on penalties.
In a video released by the Portugal Football Federation (FPF), an emotional Martinez said: "We have all been affected by this tragedy. We are all devastated."
"Our thoughts go to his wife Rute, their three children and the rest of the family, and to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva’s friends," Martinez continued.
"We have created a family in the national team that goes far beyond football. And Diogo is an important part of that — on and off the field.
"His professionalism and belief were both contagious and exemplary. On the pitch, Diogo wore the jersey with pride and his work on the field is world-class.
Flowers gifted from Porto FC are seen arriving ahead of the wake of Diogo Jota being held at Sao Cosme Chapel in the town of Gondomar
Flowers gifted from Porto FC are seen arriving ahead of the wake of Diogo Jota being held at Sao Cosme Chapel in the town of Gondomar (Image: Getty Images)
"We feel the family's pain and, in this tragedy, we question life in general. Portugal will miss one of its heroes."
At the Women's European Championship, a minute's silence was held for Jota before pictures of the player were held aloft. His brother, Andre, played in the Portuguese second tier.
"When people leave this world, normally we all say, 'He was such a nice guy'. Diogo was really a nice guy," another Portuguese coach, Jose Mourinho, said from Silverstone, which will stage the British Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday.
"He had my agent, he had my structure, so of course I knew a lot about him. And people in Liverpool, they know what I'm saying is the truth. He's a kid that nothing was easy for him. You have to fight to arrive where you arrive.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Fanatics Official Sports Apparel — Liverpool
"From this generation, he was not chasing protagonism; it was the protagonist that found him because of his talent. And the history is something really crazy.
"Three kids that stay without a dad, a young woman without her husband, the parents that lose both sons, it's crazy. It's difficult to understand. Maybe one day we will understand, but not now."
Jota and Silva will be laid to rest at a funeral service on Saturday morning. Their family attended a wake today, while thousands have visited Anfield to pay their respects outside the Main Stand.