The footballing world has come together to mourn the tragic loss of Diogo Jota.
When the news broke on Thursday morning that Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, had died in a car accident, the world could not believe it. In all honesty, it still feels incomprehensible.
Jota was an immensely talented footballer but an even better human being, and the legacy of the 28-year-old will live on forever.
Liverpool will honour the Portuguese star in the best way they can, with the club already immortalising the number 20 shirt, the first time they have done that in their entire history.
The tributes to Jota have been truly heartwarming to see and show the impact he had on the world, with Liverpool legend Ian Rush’s reflection one of the most touching sentiments yet.
Diogo Jota pictured pointing his fingers to the sky during a Premier League game between Liverpool and West Ham United.
Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Ian Rush pays tribute to the late Diogo Jota
This news has affected everyone involved in football, none more so than those close to Jota or were associated with him in some sort of way.
Rush is one of those people who knew him well due to spending so much time at Liverpool and Anfield specifically, with his long tribute posted on Instagram being one of the most heartwarming, yet heartbreaking, posts yet.
“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,” Rush wrote.
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“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.
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“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.”
Diogo Jota’s loss will have a huge impact on teammates
To some, Jota will have been ‘only’ a footballer, but to many others, he was a lot more. Much much more. His teammates were also close friends, maybe some even considered family, and his tragic death will have an everlasting impact.
This is something Rush highlighted and added to his tribute, showing how only time can heal wounds but there will always be a scar.
“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,” Rush put on his Instagram.
“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.”