Liverpool icon Ian Rush has shared his emotional message after the heartwrenching passing away of Diogo Jota.
The unimaginable tragedy of the demise of LFC and the Portuguese international footballer Diogo Jota has taken the whole footballing world into a state of deep sadness.
With widespread tributes and condolences around the world from players, managers, administrators and fans, the aftermath of the horrible passing away of Jota and his brother Andre Silva has been cathartic.
The internet has been flooded with tributory messages and many players on the field have shown their respect by doing goal celebrations, which the late forward used to do.
Now, another heartfelt message has emerged from one Reds legend.
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Ian Rush on the death of Diogo Jota
Ian Rush, the all-time leading Liverpool goalscorer and a Merseyside icon, being the club’s Ambassador, had previously shared the official condolence message.
But yesterday, Rush shared a post on Instagram with a message that will surely leave the fans teary-eyed.
The former Welsh international wrote, “Rest in peace, Diogo and André.
“At Liverpool we have always regarded ourselves as one big family. Now one of our family has gone, so we all have to join together and help one another. The last few days have shown that.
“I was invited and intended to attend Diogo’s funeral, but my brother Gerald had passed away last week, I was in the middle of helping with Gerald’s funeral when the news broke about Diogo. It’s been an incredibly difficult time, and I just wasn’t able to make it.
“He hadn’t been well for a while, but like with Diogo, it hasn’t really sunk in yet.
“Diogo’s wife, Rute, their three wonderful children, his parents, and extended family are enduring an unimaginable loss. This heartbreaking accident claimed both Diogo and his brother, André Silva. We grieve deeply for them both.
“Diogo was a great player, probably the best natural finisher at the club. He always gave 100 percent. He would make a difference whether he started or came on as a substitute. He would never dominate the headlines and that was the same off the pitch.
“He was a real down to earth person, a real gent. He just got on with things. He will be sadly missed for the special person he was as much as for what he did on a football field for Liverpool and Portugal.
“This is especially hard for the Liverpool players who will soon be back in pre-season training. They are just expected to get on with the job but they are just human beings at the end of the day who experience the same emotions as the rest of us.
“Some players will be affected more than others. I think right now it’s been hard for everyone to take in what has happened. You try to continue as normal. but that is impossible. It’s so weird, and for some there will be a delayed reaction because the enormity of what has happened hasn’t sunk in yet.
“I believe when someone dies you get on with things and it’s only a few weeks later that the full extent of the awful loss gets you. You know you have to get on with life but that’s hard. Diogo will never be forgotten because he has embraced everything Liverpool.
“Our lad from Portugal. Forever”
He ended the message with a red heart in the end. This message underlines the cohesiveness of the younger generation and the older generation at Anfield.
Liverpool will be commencing their pre-season action on July 8, Tuesday, at AXA Training Centre.
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