PORTUGUESE Wimbledon star Francisco Cabral wore a black ribbon in memory of Diogo Jota.
The Liverpool forward, 28, sadly passed away in a car crash in the early hours of yesterday morning.
Francisco Cabral wore a black ribbon in tribute of Diogo Jota[/caption]
Cabral said paying tribute made him ‘very happy’[/caption]
Diogo Jota died in a car crash yesterday[/caption]
Cabral, who partners Austrian Lucas Miedler, took to the court today for his second-round doubles clash against Petr Nouza and Patrik Rikl.
He was seen wearing a commemorative black ribbon on the sleeve of his shirt to mark Jota’s death.
Cabral and Miedler saw off Jamie Murray and Rajeev Ram on the day of the footballer’s passing.
In an emotional post-match interview, Cabral said: “I didn’t know him personally. But I know a friend who knew him. A great guy.
“Obviously, very, very sad news. Not only in the sports world but in Portugal overall.
“He’s such an idol. Such an icon. Such a good person. I am very sad to hear what happened.
“I got the news when I was driving to Wimbledon. I wish all the best for his family.
“He had great people around him. I hope they can get through it.
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“He was really hard working, what he had come through, what he had conquered in his career and life. Very inspiring for me.
“He plays in the national team. One of the best teams in the world. I followed the games and when he scored, I was happy for him.
“In the back of my head while I was playing, I was sad as everyone is in Portugal. I had to play the game. I had to focus on my game. I’m sad, of course.”
Cabral added that he was hoping someone could arrange a “black strip” for him to wear today.
The Porto-born star said it would make him “very, very happy to do it”.
Wimbledon chiefs gave players permission to wear black armbands in tribute to the footballer.
That is despite the tournament’s strict all-white dress code.
Jota passed away alongside his brother Andre Silva, 25, when the tyre on their Lamborghini suddenly burst in northern Spain.
They were on their way to catch a ferry back to the UK as the Premier League winner could not fly due to recently undergoing lung surgery.
Cabral plays men’s doubles with Lucas Miedler[/caption]
