DIOGO JOTA’S physio revealed the tragic star told him he was “excited for the future” hours before his fatal car crash.
The 28-year-old died alongside his brother Andre Silva after their car tyre blew out while travelling through Zamora, Spain, on Wednesday night.
Floral tributes have been laid by Liverpool fans[/caption]
The pair were on their way to Santander to catch a ferry to the UK, with Jota travelling back to Liverpool.
Jota had been working with his physio Miguel Goncalves in his recovery from pneumothorax – a collapsed lung.
Goncalves said Jota and his brother departed at 8:30pm, intending to stop at a hotel in the Burgos area before catching a ferry that would arrive in England today.
The physio shared how Jota was feeling before he left, revealing he was excited and enthusiastic for the upcoming season.
Goncalvea told Portuguese outlet Record: “He made an extraordinary recovery, he was undoubtedly an unparalleled professional.
“He strictly followed what I told him, as you could see in the way he was recovering.
“The base of his right lung had collapsed a little, but with the post-surgery physiotherapy he was practically flawless.
“When I left him yesterday he was no longer in pain and was going to return to Liverpool.
“He was excited, confident in his recovery and enthusiastic about the next season.
“He believed he was going to have a great season.”
Jota’s funeral will be held tomorrow in his home town of Gondomar, near Porto in Portugal. A private ceremony for family and friends, including his grieving wife Rute Cardoso, is taking place today.
Fans of Liverpool and his former club Wolves have laid flowers outside their stadiums, with several Reds stars and manager Arne Slot paying tribute.
It came as former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he was heartbroken by the death of his “great friend” and posted a photo of the pair hugging on the pitch,
He wrote on social media: “This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can’t see it!”
