DEVASTATED Liverpool manager Arne Slot said the club will sing tragic Diogo Jota’s song and vowed the unique player will never be forgotten.
The club boss said he wished he had the words “but know I do not” to pay tribute after the star’s death in a car crash early yesterday.
Liverpool fans leave tributes for deceased star Diogo Jota[/caption]
Liverpool manager Arne Slot said the club will sing tragic Diogo Jota’s song and vowed the unique player will never be forgotten[/caption]
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he was heartbroken by the death of his ‘great friend’[/caption]
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!”
FA Patron Prince William also mourned the deaths of the 28-year-old player and his brother André, 26, saying: “As part of the footballing family, I am deeply saddened.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him.”
In a statement issued by the club, Slot revealed his last conversation with Diogo was to congratulate him on winning the Nations League, and wish him luck for his wedding.
He said it had been a “dream summer” for the player.
He said Jota summed up the essence of a Liverpool player, with “hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, goals”.
And he vowed: “When the time is right, we will celebrate Diogo Jota. We will remember his goals and we will sing his song. For the time being, we will remember him as a unique human being and mourn his loss. He will never be forgotten.”
And referencing the song fans sang from the stands for the star, he finished his statement: “His name is Diogo.”
Slot said when he first joined the club last year he realised fans “had such a unique chant for Diogo, he must have special qualities”.
He described him as “a person who never sought popularity but found it anyway”.
Jurgen Klopp signed Jota from Wolves in September 2020, and the pair became very close.
Jurgen said: “I’m heartbroken. Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father! We will miss you so much!”
Tributes from around the world, across sport and politics, poured in for the Liverpool forward and his brother, who was also a footballer.
I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you
Jota’s Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo
Flowers, scarves and messages were laid outside Anfield stadium, where flags flew at half mast, with fans in floods of tears paying their respects.
Jota’s Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo said his pal’s tragic death “doesn’t make any sense”.
What we know so far:
- Diogo Jota has died aged 28 in a car crash alongside his brother André
- Liverpool FC coming to terms with “unimaginable loss”
- Liverpool ace’s tragic final post just hours before dying in car crash
- Tributes for star forward pour in including Prince William and ex-Liverpool greats
- Jota only got married 10 days ago to longterm partner Rute Cardoso
- Heartbroken Cristiano Ronaldo says crash “doesn’t make sense”
- Read Portuguese FA’s heartbreaking statement in full
- Jota was one of football’s good guys
He shared a black and white photo of Jota and said: “Just now we were together in the national team, just now you got married. To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world.
“I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”
England and ex-Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold said: “It’s so difficult to find the right words when your head and heart are struggling to accept that someone you care so much about has gone.”
The Portuguese national team said they are devastated, adding Jota was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the team, but also an extraordinary person.
Diogo’s former club, FC Porto, said it is in mourning. André was also a youth player there.
The Premier League described Jota — who won the competition earlier this year — as a “champion who will be forever missed”.
Uefa said its thoughts were with those affected “by this heartbreaking loss”.
The Liverpool flag flies at half-mast outside Anfield[/caption]
Fans of rival club Everton have also laid tributes at Anfield[/caption]
It said a silence will be observed at Women’s Euro 2025 matches yesterday and today.
Ex-Liverpool star and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher said he was “absolutely devastated” and Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth on August 15 will be an “outpouring of emotion”.
An excellent colleague, friend, and above all, a great father. Thanks for everything, my friend. We’ll always remember you. A hug to heaven. R.I.P
Ex-Wolves forward Raul Jimenez
He said: “In a state of shock. It’s so sad and devastating for his wife and three wonderful children.”
Jota’s Portugal and former Wolves team-mate Ruben Neves, said: “They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you.”
Ex-Wolves forward Raul Jimenez paid tribute, adding: “An excellent colleague, friend, and above all, a great father. Thanks for everything, my friend. We’ll always remember you. A hug to heaven. R.I.P.”
Wolves said he will be “missed and always remembered”.
England’s Jude Bellingham sent “love and strength” to the star’s family.
Comedian and Liverpool fan John Bishop described the news as heartbreaking.
US basketball star LeBron James, a part-owner of Liverpool, wrote on X: “My prayers go out to his loved ones during this time! May you all be guided and protected! YNWA [You’ll Never Walk Alone] JOTA!!”
Manchester City ace Jack Grealish posted a picture of the forward, adding: “Honestly lost for words. So heartbreaking.”
Yesterday, Liverpool fans stood in stunned silence outside Anfield.
Many hugged each other in disbelief as they tried to come to terms with the tragedy.
Deputy PM Angela Rayner, arrived to lay flowers, saying: “I’m absolutely devastated for his wife, his children and his family. Just seeing the outpouring across the whole of the city is incredible.”
Manchester United fan Joe Parsons laid his club scarf at the memorial when he visited with wife Kelly, a Liverpool fan.
Joe, 40, said: “After I put the scarf down, it was amazing how many Liverpool fans shook my hand.
“This isn’t about club rivalry. I had to show my respects. It’s a loss to the whole city. I live in the city.
“I’ve seen tributes from Everton and Rangers too. It’s the football community coming together.”
Wolves released a statement following the star’s death[/caption]
‘Club will retire his No20 shirt’
By David Wooding, Lifelong Liverpool fan
IT’S always a great sadness to lose a football legend, but truly devastating to see one cut down in their prime.
Diogo Jota’s untimely death is an incomprehensible shock to the global army of Reds fans who worshipped him.
We see our heroes as indestructible, and miracle-worker striker Jota was no exception.
His final goal for Liverpool confirmed his legendary status: a late winner to push his team closer to that 20th league title.
At the Kop end.
In a Merseyside derby.
Goals don’t come much bigger than that.
Jota the Slotter’s crucial strikes earned him the ultimate badge of honour — his own song.
Even when he was on the bench, the crowd would bellow: “He’s a lad from Portugal; better than Figo, don’t you know; Oh, his name is Diogo” — to the tune of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s hit Bad Moon Rising.
Barely a month ago, I was among the 1.5million who saw Jota and his team-mates parade the Premier League trophy through Liverpool.
It turned into a harrowing day when a motorist drove into a crowd, injuring 109.
Two weeks later, he lifted the Uefa Nations League trophy with Portugal.
Just 12 days ago, he married his sweetheart Rute — mother of his three young children.
I’m sure Liverpool FC and the fans will ensure the family never walk alone.
I suspect the club will retire the No20 he wore out of respect and his song will echo on the Kop into eternity.
