DFB captain Kimmich reflects upon Jota-Tod, expressing sympathetic sentiments.
In a poignant turn of events, the Club World Cup quarter-final match between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain is set to take place this Saturday at 18:00 CEST, with a sombre note hanging over the proceedings. The tragic news of the death of Liverpool striker Diogo Jota and his younger brother André Silva in a car accident in Spain on Thursday has deeply affected the footballing world, and Bayern Munich is no exception.
Joshua Kimmich, the DFB captain and a 30-year-old professional at Bayern Munich, has shared his thoughts on the matter. Kimmich, who played against Jota in the Nations League just a few weeks ago, expressed his sympathy and acknowledged the impact of the event on his teammates João Palhinha and Raphaël Guerreiro, both of whom are Portuguese like Jota.
"Moments like these make one realise what's truly important," Kimmich said. He added that while the quarter-finals and who's going to win are important, they are also mindful of the tragic event. Kimmich further stated that Jota's death serves as a reminder of how fragile life is.
In a show of respect, a minute of silence will be observed before the kick-off of the match against Paris Saint-Germain. This is not the first time Bayern Munich has paid tribute to Jota. Before their training session at the WM base camp in Orlando, the team held a minute of silence for Jota. The same was done before their training session at the Munich Arena, where Jota came on as a substitute during Kimmich's 100th international match.
The match against Paris Saint-Germain is scheduled to take place in Atlanta, and will be broadcast on Sat.1/DAZN. As the footballing community continues to grapple with this loss, the focus remains on remembering Jota and his life, rather than the game itself.
[1] Source: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jul/03/liverpool-striker-diogo-jota-dies-in-car-crash-aged-27
[Editor's Note: While specific details about how Diogo Jota's death has affected João Palhinha and Raphaël Guerreiro are not available, it is common for such events to have a profound impact on team dynamics and camaraderie.]
Joshua Kimmich, a Bayern Munich player and the DFB captain, reflected on the loss of Diogo Jota, a fellow Portuguese footballer who passed away in a car accident, stating, "Moments like these make one realize what's truly important." Kimmich also expressed that the team, including his teammates João Palhinha and Raphaël Guerreiro, are mindful of the tragic event while preparing for their quarter-final match against Paris Saint-Germain, acknowledging it as a reminder of the fragility of life.
