A powerful tribute to Liverpool’s Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva appeared on Torre Abbey Sands on Thursday afternoon (10 July), as beachgoers in Torquay paused to reflect on the tragic loss of the Portuguese brothers.
Etched into the sand using nothing but a rake, the giant circular artwork featured both brothers’ names, a central heart symbol marked ‘RIP’, and the words ‘Liverpool FC’ beneath.
It appeared just over a week after the brothers’ funeral in their hometown of Gondomar, and the mural has since prompted widespread reaction and reflection online.
No artist has officially claimed responsibility, but the work bears all the hallmarks of Geoffrey ‘The Sandyman’ Ward, Torquay’s enigmatic beach artist known for his large-scale creations at low tide.
Others online have questioned whether the image could be AI-generated — though eyewitnesses, including beachgoers and social media users, have confirmed its presence on the sands.
One Facebook user commented on the picture: “Proud to be a Scouser. Proud to live in Devon. What a fabulous recognition to our City.”
The artwork joins similar beach tributes reported in Exmouth, believed to be part of a wider, grassroots outpouring of grief following Jota’s death in a car crash in Spain on 3 July.
Spanish police say the 27-year-old was driving the vehicle that left the road and caught fire. His brother, André Silva, also died in the crash.
Jota had been en route to Santander to catch a ferry to England. His death has shaken the football community, prompting tributes from players, fans, and figures across the sport.
A mural titled Forever 20 — Jota’s Liverpool shirt number — has since been painted near Anfield by street art collective Murwalls. Meanwhile, artist Paul Curtis has raised over £25,000 towards a larger tribute to the brothers. Donations have come in from around the world, including from supporters of rival clubs.
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