James Milner has paid an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota, who he describes “as one of my favourite team-mates,” and who he now honours with No. 20 on his back.
Milner and Jota shared the pitch 71 times at Liverpool and struck what the former No. 7 describes as an unlikely friendship due to the perceived differences they shared.
What blossomed between the pair was a strong connection, and Milner heartbreakingly revealed to the Athletic that they had messaged each other the night before Jota’s tragic death.
“Nothing major, just checking in and asking each other how things were going,” Milner said before opening up on the moment he was told the news at Brighton‘s training ground.
“Someone asked, ‘Is that true?’ and I didn’t know at that point. I messaged someone at Liverpool to try to find out and just horrific. Not many tougher days than that.”
Jordan Henderson and James Milner leave the funeral of Diogo Jota (PA)
Milner was among the former Liverpool players to attend Jota’s funeral in Gondomar last month, alongside Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Thiago.
He has since taken the No. 20 shirt at Brighton to honour his friend, and his words on that friendship are incredibly touching and speak to who Jota was to so many.
“I loved the guy, absolutely loved him. Loved him as a player, loved him even more as a team-mate and a friend, absolutely loved him,” Milner said.
“Carlos [Baleba] wanted to change his number, so the No. 20 became available and it felt like the right thing for me to do. Every day when I put my kit on, I’ll think of him.
“We were only together at Liverpool for three seasons and you might not have thought we had much in common — different nationalities, very different ages — but we hit it off immediately.
“Maybe it was because we were both so stubborn. Honestly, people say I’m stubborn, but Jots could give me a run for my money.
“He was an unbelievable guy, one of my favourite team-mates I’ve had in all my time playing. He was always up for a laugh, always winding people up.
“He was one of those you could put in any corner of the dressing room, next to any other player, and he would click with them straight away.”