The wife of a Portugal international was forced to issue a message on social media following the tragic deaths of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva
Andre Silva and Maria Rodrigues
Maria Rodrigues issued a message on social media in July(Image: Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
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The wife of Diogo Jota’s former team-mate found herself at the centre of confusion following the deaths of the Liverpool star and his brother Andre Silva earlier this year. The siblings died in a tragic car accident in July, which rocked the sporting world.
Jota, who would have turned 29 today (Thursday 4th December), had recently celebrated winning the Premier League with Liverpool and clinching the Nations League with Portugal. Off the pitch, he had married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso just 11 days before his death.
The Liverpool icon’s brother Silva, 25, was also a professional footballer with Liga Portugal 2 side Penafiel. However, following the pair’s funeral, the wife of Elche striker André Silva issued a message to supporters who had mistakenly reached out after confusing her husband with his late namesake.
Maria Rodrigues, the wife of Elche forward Silva, wrote on social media at the time: "I have been receiving many kind and concerned messages lately. There seems to have been some confusion regarding the recent devastating news.
"I want to clarify that this information is not about my husband, André Silva. Our hearts go out to the families affected by this tragedy. We are thinking of them at this incredibly difficult time."
Jota and Silva were laid to rest in their hometown of Gondomar, near the city of Porto, in July. Elche star Silva, 30, and Rodrigues attended the funeral and laid flowers at the chapel.
He first crossed paths with Jota during their time at Porto, sharing the pitch on 29 occasions at club level. Elche's Silva and Jota were also Portugal team-mates for several years, including during Euro 2020.
In a statement shortly after the deaths of Jota and his brother, Silva said: "I cannot believe it. We take every day for granted, but life can be brutally fragile.
Diogo Jota and Andre Silva playing for Porto
Jota and current Elche forward Andre Silva played for Porto together during the 2016/17 campaign
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“There are no words that will ever do. This doesn't make sense. Only pain and silence weigh.
"We shared moments on and off the field, laughter, sacrifices, victories, simple conversations that gain more weight today. You will always be with us, in everything we were and are. You'll always be part of us. Rest in peace, Jota and Andre."
The impact of the brothers’ deaths continues to be felt months after their passing. In November, Jota’s Liverpool team-mate Andy Robertson admitted that he had been thinking about his friend in the hours before helping Scotland qualify for the World Cup.
"I've hid it well, but today I've been in bits. I know the age I'm at, this could be my last chance to go to the World Cup," Robertson said after the match. "I couldn't get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today. We spoke so much together about the World Cup.
A tribute to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva
The footballing world paid tribute to Liverpool's Diogo Jota and Penafiel's Andre Silva following their deaths
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"He missed out on Qatar [2022 World Cup] because of injury, and I missed out because Scotland weren't in it. I know he will be somewhere smiling over me tonight.
"I couldn't get him out of my head the whole day. I was in a bit of trouble in my room earlier. I think I hid it well from the boys and I'm so glad it ended up this way."
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