Arne Slot leads Liverpool tributes after tragic death of Diogo Jota

Liverpool:

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has paid an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota, following the devastating news of the Portuguese forward’s sudden passing. Jota, 28, and his brother André Silva died in a car crash in northern Spain, which the club described as an “unimaginable tragedy,” sending shockwaves through the footballing world.

The incident happened in the early hours of July 3, when Jota and his brother attempted to overtake a vehicle. However, one of the tires of their car burst, and it led to them losing control, and in very little time, the car caught fire. The fire department arrived at the scene, but they couldn’t save Jota and Silva.

In a statement issued through the club, Slot expressed profound sorrow and solidarity with Jota’s grieving family. “My first thoughts are not those of a football manager. They are of a father, a son, a brother and an uncle. We need everyone at the club to stand together and be there for one another. We owe this to Diogo,” Slot said.

Slot praised Jota not only for his contributions on the pitch but also for the person he was away from it. He described the forward as “someone who never sought popularity but found it anyway,” and “a friend to everyone.”

Since arriving at Liverpool in 2020, Jota became a fan favourite, known for his tireless work ethic, crucial goals, and ability to rise to big occasions. Over five seasons at the Merseyside club, he scored 65 goals in 182 appearances and played an instrumental role in their 2024–25 Premier League title run. For Portugal, he won the UEFA Nations League this summer.

As tributes pour in from across the world of football, Slot and Liverpool have vowed to keep Jota’s memory alive. “He will never be forgotten. His name is Diogo,” Slot concluded.