Cristiano Ronaldo bids farewell to Diogo Jota affectionately, with a warm kiss
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Diogo Jota, a prominent player for the Portuguese national team and Liverpool FC, along with his brother André Silva, lost their lives in a car accident in Spain. The accident occurred in the Zamora province of north-west Spain, leaving the footballing world in shock.
The tragic news was met with an outpouring of condolences from fellow players, officials, and fans. Cristiano Ronaldo, a close teammate of Jota's since 2019, made a deeply emotional tribute on social media. He said, "It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you had got married." Ronaldo extended his condolences to Jota’s family, wife, and children, wishing them strength in this difficult time and acknowledging that Jota would always be with them in spirit. His full message read:
> "To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength of the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you."
Ronaldo and Jota had recently shared moments as part of the Portugal squad that won the Nations League the previous month, highlighting their close connection both on and off the field.
Liverpool FC, Jota's current club, is asking for respect for the privacy of the family, friends, teammates, and club staff as they try to cope with this unimaginable loss. The club expressed their devastation, stating, "We are devastated by the tragic death of Diogo Jota."
The Portuguese Football Federation also mourned the death of Jota and his brother, considering it an irreplaceable loss for Portuguese football. The Prime Minister of Portugal, Luís Montenegro, expressed his condolences to the family on the X platform. Portuguese football legend Pepe also expressed his condolences to Jota's family and friends on Instagram.
Diogo Jota, who was 28 years old at the time of his death, played almost 50 international matches for the Portuguese national team. His career was marked by his dedication, skill, and unwavering spirit, traits that will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family, friends, and teammates of Diogo Jota and his brother André during this difficult time. They will be remembered for their contributions to the world of football and the lives they touched.
[1] Source: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/11/portugal-diogo-jota-dies-aged-28-after-car-crash [2] Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58978047 [3] Source: https://www.espn.com/soccer/portugal/story/4273524/portugal-star-diogo-jota-dies-in-car-crash-aged-28
- The European football community, particularly the Portuguese Football Federation and the Premier League's Liverpool FC, are expected to revise their community and employment policies in light of this tragic event, offering more support to players and their families.
- In memory of Diogo Jota, football enthusiasts across Europe, including fans of European-leagues and the Premier League, will be organizing charity matches and fundraisers in his honor, channeling the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie that Jota embodied during his career.
