Nat Phillips has sent a touching message after the death of his former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota
Diogo Jota of Liverpool with Nathaniel Phillips of Liverpool during a training session on August 01, 202
(Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Image)
Former Liverpool defender Nat Phillips has paid a touching tribute to Diogo Jota after the Portuguese's tragic death last week. Jota was killed in a car crash alongside his brother Andre Silva in the early hours of Thursday, July 3, sparking an outpouring of grief from across the football world.
Jota and his brother were laid to rest at a funeral service in Portugal on Saturday (July 5), with many of his current and former team-mates from Liverpool and Portugal in attendance.
The Reds were given extended leave by the club in the wake of the tragedy, with players set to report back to the AXA Training Centre today (July 8) to begin pre-season.
And Phillips, who brought his nine-year stay with Liverpool to an end last month with a £3m move to West Bromwich Albion, took to his Instagram page to leave a touching tribute to his former team-mate Jota..
He said: "I’ve got to be honest I’ve been struggling with this, as I’m worried I don’t have the words. How do I even begin to do justice to someone who was loved by all of us, someone who lit up countless lives and meant so much to just as many?
"Jots, along with the rest of the world, I’m really going to miss you mate. It was a pleasure and an honour to share the dressing room with you and to be part of so many special moments and memories that we shared.."You were always up for a laugh and a wind up. More than anything else, you always stayed true to yourself regardless of your success in life."The reality is that nothing was ever going to change you. You were too good, too grounded for that."A top friend, a magical footballer but most importantly a special human being. Rest in peace Diogo and Andre. Sending all my love and strength to your family."