Diogo Jota will forever be remembered as a Liverpool legend, and would have been celebrating his 29th birthday today
Caoimhin Kelleher and Diogo Jota of Liverpool arriving before the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest at Anfield on October 29, 2023 in Liverpool, England.
Caoimhin Kelleher and Diogo Jota were close friends at Liverpool(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Diogo Jota's tragic death earlier this year sparked an outpouring of grief from the football world. The Liverpool family united as one at a monumentally difficult time following the Portuguese forward's passing, along with his brother, Andre Silva, in a car crash in July in northern Spain.
Tributes to Jota, who would have been 29 today, were paid far and wide. One of the most touching came from former Liverpool star Caoimhin Kelleher, who wrote a heartfelt message about his much-loved team-mate, admitting that he had become "one of my closest friends" in football.
Kelleher and Jota spent five seasons together at Liverpool, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and also reaching the Champions League final in the 2021/22 season.
The current Brentford shotstopper wrote in July: "Jots. Can’t believe I’m writing this right now and I’m finding it hard to put into words. I’m absolutely devastated by this news.
"All my thoughts and condolences are with Rute and their three beautiful kids and Diogo and Andre’s family. It was a such a pleasure to get to know you over these years and to share some special memories on the pitch and even more so off it.
"You became one of my closest friends in football. We bonded over all things sports watching any football match we could find often your brother Andre’s game on your iPad.
"I was surprised a lad from Portugal loved sports such as darts, snooker and horse racing so much and some of my best memories were having a laugh watching them with you.
"You were such a fun genuine, normal down to earth and loving family man and always very competitive. I’m gonna miss our pre match programme quiz.
"I feel so blessed and grateful to have seen you on your happiest day, the day of your wedding and to be able to share in that day with you was special. I’ll never forget it.
Diogo Jota and Caoimhin Kelleher of Liverpool during a training session on August 01, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The two ex-Liverpool stars shared a close bond
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"You were deeply loved by everyone at the club, the city and all over the world. It’s gonna hurt for a long time and I’m gonna miss you so much but I feel so lucky to have got know you and have such a good friend. Love you Diogo."
Jota and Kelleher had developed a strong friendship during their time at Liverpool, with Jota revealing in 2024 that Kelleher was his closest friend in the squad.
Asked about who he was close to, Jota said: "Nowadays I would say Caoimhin. There have been a few departing the squad.
"We play a quiz game, we play each other. There is one on the match day programme. It is a good way to start the match day action."