Celtic winger Jota has paid tribute to his former Portugal youth teammate Diogo Jota, following the Liverpool star’s tragic death in a car accident last week.
26th April 2025; Tannadice Park, Dundee, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Dundee United versus Celtic; Jota Joao Pedro Neves Filipe of Celtic warms up before the match
Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva, were killed while driving to Santander to catch a ferry back to England. The 27-year-old, who had recently undergone a lung procedure, was advised not to fly and had just married his long-term partner 11 days earlier. He leaves behind three young children.
Liverpool have retired the No. 20 shirt in Jota’s memory across all levels of the club – from the senior men’s and women’s teams to the academy sides. The decision was made in consultation with his wife Rute and his parents, Isabel and Joaquim, who visited Anfield on Friday alongside the full Liverpool squad to witness the tributes left at the stadium.
Celtic’s Jota, who played alongside Diogo in Portugal’s Under-21 squad, spoke with deep emotion about the loss of a friend and fellow professional.
“I struggle to find words about everything that happened,” he said, as quoted by SunSport. “It’s such a strange feeling, so unfair to someone who still had all of his life in front of him. No one can imagine the pain and suffering of the family.
“Everyone could look up to him like a father figure, and this happening just doesn’t make any sense. His memory will live, the things he did for football were amazing. Everyone should be proud of that and just tell him that us down here will keep on fighting and remembering all the beautiful things that he’s done.”
Jota’s words echo the sense of shock and sadness that has gripped the football world in the wake of Diogo Jota’s untimely passing – a poignant reminder of life’s fragility and the unity football can inspire in moments of grief.
Tees for Tims - Jota Celtic