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'Special player, a special guy, a true legend'published at 11:34 BST 4 July
11:34 BST 4 July
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Liverpool left-back Kostas Tsimikas has delivered a heartfelt tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. On Instagram he wrote:
"Oh he wears the number 20 and his name is Diogo
"We moved to the club in the same period. We were the new boys in the city. We've shared and celebrated some of our best moments of our careers together.
"Before one of our last ones, you've said to me 'you cross, I score' and that's what happened. We laughed and we talked about lots.
"You were a special player, a special guy, a true legend, Diogo. You'll always be remembered and always be loved.
"My heart and my prayers are with your Rute, your boys, your little girl, your family and everyone who loved and waited for you both to go home. You and your brother Andre will be missed forever.
'A truly humble superstar'published at 09:10 BST 4 July
09:10 BST 4 July
Friday's newspapers are awash with images of Diogo Jota. Jamie Carragher is quoted as stating Jota was "a truly humble superstar" on the back page of the Telegraph, while the Liverpool Echo says the striker is "forever our number 20".
Meanwhile, thousands of tributes have been left by supporters at Anfield while many are lining up to sign a book of condolence.
A vigil for Jota and his younger brother, Andre Silva, is taking place in their home suburb of Gondomar in the Portuguese city of Porto. Their funeral is expected to be held on Saturday.
'You became one of my closest friends in football'published at 09:06 BST 4 July
09:06 BST 4 July
Image source, Getty Images
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has paid an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. On Instagram, Kelleher wrote:
Can't believe I'm writing this right now, and I'm finding it hard to put into words.
I'm absolutely devastated by this news.
All my thoughts and condolences are with Rute and their three beautiful kids and Diogo and Andre's family.
It was such a pleasure to get to know you over these years and to share some special memories on the pitch and even more so off it.
You became one of my closest friends in football. We bonded over all things sports, watching any football match we could find - often your brother Andre's game on your iPad.
I was surprised a lad from Portugal loved sports such as darts, snooker and horse racing so much, and some of my best memories were having a laugh watching them with you.
You were such a fun, genuine, normal down to earth and loving family man and you were always very competitive. I'm gonna miss our pre-match programme quiz.
I feel so blessed and grateful to have seen you on your happiest day, the day of your wedding, and to be able to share in that day with you was special. I'll never forget it.
You were deeply loved by everyone at the club, the city and all over the world.
It's gonna hurt for a long time and I'm gonna miss you so much but I feel so lucky to have got know you and have such a good friend
'An unbelievable family man'published at 07:54 BST 4 July
07:54 BST 4 July
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has posted a tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva on Instagram. It reads:
Man, I can't believe it, I don't want to believe it. Absolutely devastated and in total disbelief.
What a human being, what a player, but most importantly what an unbelievable family man.
You meant so much to all of us and you always will! For your family to lose two sons, a husband and a father is just unimaginable. So cruel and unfair. My heart is breaking for all of your beautiful family, for Rute and for your kids. I promise you that in these difficult times and beyond we will always be there for your family.
A champion forever, number 20 forever. It's been a privilege to have stood by your side on the pitch, and to have been your friend off it.
We will miss you beyond words and never forget you. Your legacy will live on, we will make sure of it!
'The most British foreign player I've ever met' - Robertson's tributepublished at 20:48 BST 3 July
20:48 BST 3 July
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson has paid an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. On Instagram, Robertson wrote:
The ones I'm thinking about most right now are the family. Their loss is too much to bear. I'm so sorry that they have lost two such precious souls – Diogo and Andre.
For the team and the Club, we'll try to cope with this together… however long that takes.
For me, I want to talk about my mate. My buddy. The bloke I loved and will miss like crazy.
I could talk about him as a player for hours, but none of that feels like it matters right now.
It's the man. The person. He was such a good guy. The best. So genuine. Just normal and real.
Full of love for the people he cared about. Full of fun.
He was the most British foreign player I've ever met. We used to joke he was really Irish… I'd try to claim him as Scottish, obviously. I even called him Diogo MacJota.
We'd watch the darts together, enjoy the horse racing. Going to Cheltenham this season was a highlight - one of the best we had.
The last time I saw him was the happiest day of his life – his wedding day. I want to remember his never-ceasing smile from that magical day. How much he was bursting with love for his wife and family.
I can't believe we're saying goodbye. It's too soon, and it hurts so much.
But thank you for being in my life, mate – and for making it better.
'His name is Diogo' - Slot's tribute to Jotapublished at 20:48 BST 3 July
20:48 BST 3 July
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has expressed his sadness at the loss of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva...
What to say? What can anyone say at a time like this when the shock and the pain is so incredibly raw? I wish I had the words but I know I do not.
All I have are feelings that I know so many people will share about a person and a player we loved dearly and a family we care so much about.
My first thoughts are not those of a football manager. They are of a father, a son, a brother and an uncle and they belong to the family of Diogo and Andre Silva who have experienced such an unimaginable loss.
My message to them is very clear – you will never walk alone. The players, the staff, the supporters of Liverpool Football Club are all with you and from what I have seen today, the same can be said of the wider family of football.
This is not solely a response to tragedy. It is also a reaction to the goodness of the people involved and the respect that so many have for the boys as individuals and for the family as a whole.
For us as a club, the sense of shock is absolute. Diogo was not just our player. He was a loved one to all of us. He was a teammate, a colleague, a workmate and in all of those roles he was very special.
I could say so much about what he brought to our team but the truth is everyone who watched Diogo play could see it. Hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, goals. The essence of what a Liverpool player should be.
There were also the parts that not everyone got to see. The person who never sought popularity but found it anyway. Not a friend to two people, a friend to everyone. Someone who made others feel good about themselves just by being with them. A person who cared deeply for his family.
The last time we spoke, I congratulated Diogo on winning the Nations League and wished him luck for his forthcoming wedding. In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family, which makes it all the more heartbreaking that it should end like this.
When I first came to the club, one of the first songs I got to know was the one that our fans sing for Diogo. I had not worked with him previously but I knew straight away that if the Liverpool supporters, who have seen so many great players over the years, had such a unique chant for Diogo, he must have special qualities.
That we have lost those qualities in such terrible circumstances is something we have not yet come to terms with. For this reason, we need everyone at the club to stand together and to be there for one another. We owe this to Diogo, to Andre Silva, to their wider family and to ourselves.
My condolences go to Diogo's wife, Rute, their three beautiful children and to the parents of Diogo and Andre Silva.
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.
Ask any of those fans or families if they'd give up such memories to have the two lost men back with their loved ones and, in a heartbeat, they'd say yes. Such mourning underlines how fleeting big moments really are when life shakes the ground underneath us.
Arguably Jota's greatest on-pitch downfall was his finest and most-loved quality - his honesty.
Time and again in the red of Liverpool or gold of Wolves he showed a fearlessness in his play, in challenges and in generally making a nuisance of himself. Time and again he came out with bruises, sprains, twists, tears and the battle wounds of a man giving his all for the cause. Time and again his name was sung. Fans, after all, love nothing more than honesty.
The forward - adaptable from the flank or through the centre - scored the opening league goal of a new era - the title-winning Arne Slot campaign. His sun-soaked finish at Ipswich got the ball rolling for a season few fans imagined possible.
When the Reds struggled, he never shirked. December brought more than 70 minutes playing with 10 men against Fulham at Anfield and Jota's 86th-minute equaliser maintained critical momentum.
In January - nine days after a frustrating draw against Manchester United - form looked patchy. Step up Jota from the bench to score within a minute and earn a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest - momentum maintained.
In April - two weeks after a League Cup final defeat - he weaved his way through Everton's defence to banish Wembley pain and win the Merseyside derby.
It would be his last goal. Like those mentioned and so many before, it was crucial - moving his team on from testing spells to a better future. Jota was your spiky, feisty, gutsy striker in the moments that call for spirit to move you forward.
How life took him from a Premier League win, to his wedding day and on to tragedy is impossible to comprehend. What can be considered with far more clarity is his impact on a football club, its fans and a city - a resoundingly positive one.
Liverpool's website has periodically ran a 100 to 1 countdown titled '100 players who shook The Kop'. All the names you would expect make the list - Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush, John Barnes and more.
Any present-day edition will - on merit - contain Jota's name.
Liverpool's "lad from Portugal" - a husband, father, brother and son who built a lasting connection through his unequivocal honesty.
'Diogo Lives Forever'published at 20:35 BST 3 July
20:35 BST 3 July
Luke Reddy BBC Sport Senior Journalist
Thousands of tributes flank Anfield. One lady among hundreds silently pondering simply says "bless him" to her friend as she fights back some tears.
At The Paisley Gates, a homemade banner hangs in the shadows of The Kop.
And, draped on a concourse adjacent to Anfield's Main Stand, facing the sea of scarfs, shirts, flowers and notes on the grass below, a small placard sits above the Hillsborough Memorial and simply reads 'Diogo Lives Forever'.
'A zest for life that was utterly contagious' - Liverpool statement published at 20:30 BST 3 July
20:30 BST 3 July
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool's owners and leadership group have released a statement following the devastating news of the passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. It reads:
On behalf of the leadership teams at Liverpool Football Club and Fenway Sports Group, we offer our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of our number 20, Diogo Jota, and his brother Andre Silva.
This tragic situation and the reality of it is truly shocking, devastating and has left us numb with grief. We therefore cannot imagine how the immediate and wider family of these remarkable brothers must be feeling. Our thoughts, prayers and support are with them all.
We all know what Diogo could do on the field of play and the vital role he played in our successes since he joined this club in 2020. How he quickly became a firm fan favourite, and his song reverberated around Anfield and in stadiums across the world.
So many special moments, so many special memories.
But beyond the player that we all knew was a wonderfully humble human being, he was sincere, intelligent, funny, tough and created connections with people everywhere he went. He had a zest for life that was utterly contagious. Diogo was a loving father, son, husband and brother, and we, and everyone who knew him, will miss him deeply as we all try to process the enormity of today.
Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre. You Will Never Walk Alone.
Billy, John, Tom, Mike.
Statements from Arne Slot, Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes can be found further down this page.
'We all feel utterly bereft right now' - Liverpool statementpublished at 18:23 BST 3 July
18:23 BST 3 July
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool have released a second statement on the day their player Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva lost their lives in a car accident in Spain.
The words - attributed to Fenway Sports Group's chief executive of football Michael Edwards and Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes read:
There is nothing that we can say in this moment to ease the pain of such a devastating tragedy. We all feel utterly bereft right now.
In such heartbreaking circumstances, it is our responsibility to acknowledge the collective grief we are experiencing, to pay tribute to our Diogo, and to offer unwavering support to his family who remain our absolute priority at this time.
Diogo's wife, Rute, their three beautiful children, his parents and wider family are facing an unimaginable loss. This tragic accident has taken not only Diogo, but also his brother, Andre Silva. We mourn them both equally. We must respect the family's privacy and give them the space to grieve in whichever way they need.
Of course, we – his Liverpool family – are also struggling to come to terms with what has happened. As his teammates, friends and colleagues, we are consumed by shock and sorrow. We know our supporters, his national team, former clubs and teammates and the wider football community share in this grief. This is a tragedy that transcends Liverpool Football Club.
In the coming days, we as a club will look to honour our beloved number 20 with the respect and affection he so richly deserves. We will strive to make these tributes meaningful and inclusive of our supporters, to whom Diogo meant so much.
For now, we express a love that is filled with deep sorrow and pain. We have lost someone truly irreplaceable.
'Smart, articulate, funny- and incredibly well loved' - Jota tributespublished at 17:47 BST 3 July
17:47 BST 3 July
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool players and staff, past and present have been paying tribute to their player, team-mate and friend Diogo Jota throughout the day. You'll find more further down this page but here is a selection of the most recent.
Harvey Elliott on his Instagram page: Diogo, I can't believe you're gone. It's hard to put into words how much this hurts us.
You were an incredible footballer, the kind that made a difference every single time you stepped on the field. You were humble, hardworking, kind, and always there for anyone that needed anything.
I feel so lucky to have shared the pitch with you, shared memories and moments I'll carry with me forever. You'll always be part of this team, part of the Liverpool family. We will never, ever forget you.
My heart goes out to your whole family.
Love you brother.
Rest easy Diogo and Andre. You'll Never Walk Alone.
Former Liverpool player and manager Sir Kenny Dalglish on X: Football is not important at this sad time. You feel helpless, knowing there's so little we can do to ease the pain for his wife of just two weeks, his three beautiful children.
Thinking and praying for all their loved ones after the devastating loss of both Diogo and Andre. YNWA.
Linda Pizzuti, wife of Liverpool co-owner John W Henry: Devastating news on the tragic loss of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a car accident in Spain.
Along with being a world-class champion footballer, Diogo was a thoroughly good person – smart, articulate, funny- and incredibly well loved by his teammates.
He was 28, with a young family - his amazing wife Rute and their 3 beautiful children that our hearts break for. Diogo has been part of LFC since 2020. A tragic loss.
Darwin Nunez on Instagram: There are no words of comfort for so much pain.
I will always remember you with your smile, as a good companion on and off the field.
I send all my strength to his family, from where he is I'm sure he will always be with you, especially his wife and three children.
Rest in peace Diogo and Andre.
Alexis Mac Allister on Instagram: I can't believe it. I will always remember your smiles, your anger, your intelligence, your companionship and everything that made you a person. It hurts a lot, we will miss you.
Fabinho on X: No words for this terribly sad day. It's still hard to believe this happened. I had the privilege of spending time with this incredible person that Diogo was. You will be missed, brother! May God comfort Rute's heart, the entire family, and everyone who loved Diogo and Andre. May they rest in peace.
The night Jota bond was cementedpublished at 16:53 BST 3 July
16:53 BST 3 July
Daniel Austin BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
It was a game at Arsenal in January 2022 that cemented the solid bond between Diogo Jota and Liverpool supporters.
On a Thursday night in the League Cup semi-finals, the forward was rampant. He scored two in an electric performance, twisting and turning the Gunners defenders inside out and finishing with his trademark precision.
Supporters in the away end were in love with him. They chanted raucously, ceaselessly the song which had begun to gather momentum on a recent European away trip from part way through the first half, into the concourse at half-time, and until the full-time whistle.
They scarcely came up for air because they wanted Jota to know what a tremendous night he had given them.
Now some of those same supporters stand outside Anfield, dazed and distressed, staring at red shirts with 'Diogo' emblazoned on the back as the news of his death begins to settle.
"He was such a nice person," said Brian Curry, a match-going Liverpool fan.
"He's a legend. He'll be sadly, sadly missed by every fan. I'm sure the Kop, and the players when they go on the pitch, will have him in their heart."
Jota's 65th and final Liverpool goal, a true poacher's winner against Everton in front of the Kop in April, now stands as a beacon - a moment in time fans can look back on and take joy in the fact they were able to share it with him.
Footballers often mean more to fans than the players themselves will ever know.
But strolling around the Anfield turf on the final day of the season, big shiny silver trophy in hand, and all four stands singing his name, Jota knew he was adored.
'Heaven has gained two angels' - fan tributespublished at 15:49 BST 3 July
15:49 BST 3 July
Your tributes have been flooding in throughout the day following the tragic news about the passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre.
Here are some more of your comments:
Kush: Absolutely floored by this, difficult to find the words. Diogo was an incredible footballer and more importantly, by all accounts a wonderful person. We will never, ever forget him. Heartbroken for his wife Rute and kids. I know the club will ensure they Never Walk Alone.
Fraser: Shocked. Genuinely lost for words. One of my favourite players and one of the most clinical and humble players you could ask for. I will never forget his many goals for us, especially the sole goal that won us the derby back in April, a game that proved so crucial in our title-winning season. Little did we know that would be the final goal that he would ever score in his life. I cannot imagine the pain and grief the family are going through. Rest in Peace Diogo Jota. Forever our number 20.
Image source, Getty Images
Ruaridh: It's just devastating. Such a shock. We've not just lost a world class player, we've lost a friend. His song radiating from the roof of Anfield speaks for itself, everyone adored him. A true gentleman, a father, a husband, and such a kind heart. We will all miss you, Diogo. The love you shared will never be forgotten. Fly high my friend, You'll Never Walk Alone.
Michael: Two amazing players taken too soon. Thank you for everything you did for LFC Jota, a truly amazing player and individual. Such talent and finesse, your time will never be forgotten. You and the memories we've all made will stay with us always. Fly high lads, heaven has gained two angels.
Image source, Getty Images
Sebastien: It's heartbreaking to hear this tragic news. Diogo was someone who as a Liverpool player had some magical moments on the pitch, but he was a wonderful human being too. The world is less bright with his and his brother's passing. We will keep you in our hearts, and we will never forget you Diogo and Andre. RIP. YNWA.
James: Tragic, someone so young talented and full of life, with so much to look forward to. A joy to watch as a footballer. Condolences to all his family and friends.
Image source, Getty Images
Pat: Diogo Jota was a lot of things - a father, a husband, a brother. The people who knew that the most will be the people hurting the most now, and I cannot imagine their grief. The tributes to the man will come from those who knew him.
Tributes to the footballer are easier. What we could all see from the stands or on screen was a committed team player who would run himself into the ground for the cause, and a talented creator and finisher of chances (with a goal roughly every three games, which is incredible given his injury record). I think all Liverpool fans will miss him terribly.
'A pair full of vitality, full of celebratory spirit - just gone'published at 13:12 BST 3 July
13:12 BST 3 July
Image source, Getty Images
Neil Atkinson of The Anfield Wrap has put his thoughts out in the aftermath of the passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre:
The news of the death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva is devastating.
I'm sure every Liverpool supporter, every Penafiel supporter, and every Portugal supporter is shocked.
My Diogo Jota is the one full of instinct and indefatigable spirit; the one scoring a brace against Arsenal or sticking up for us in scoring the winning penalty in the shootout against Leicester.
I am sure that is a massive part of his essence, but it is such a long way from the whole of the man who got married last week and called himself "the lucky one" when he did so.
There, in the midst of that first sentence, is the primary reason for grief today - a family has lost two brothers in one tragic incident. Not one footballer but two brothers, two sons. A pair full of vitality, full of celebratory spirit after Diogo's wedding last week, and now just gone, lost in a moment.
The WhatsApp groups I am in are mourning a young father, not a player who has won every domestic honour with Liverpool.
Today should just be about that, about that family, the wider families impacted at Liverpool FC and Penafiel, and their friends and loved ones.
We love footballers; collective shared love is the greatest gift of the game and those explosions of joy create bonds which last lifetimes between us on the stands and in supporter clubs, and between us and them on the pitch.
Seeing the image of him from the final day of last season, his young family and the trophy he worked towards is a reminder that whole families feel as though they collaborate in this thing of ours.
The starkest grief though is theirs. The loss is theirs. The burden is theirs. We can pay tribute and remember and we should, but all of that can wait. Today is about their devastation; our shock is nothing to theirs.
We will not be putting anything out today on The Anfield Wrap. We'll pay tribute to the footballer and the person we saw through the prism of football in the days to come.
Cherish and look after your loved ones; families, colleagues, friends; the people in the WhatsApp groups. Reminders of how brittle the whole thing is hit hard and all we can do is look after one another.
'Devastating news' - Starmer pays tribute to Jotapublished at 12:48 BST 3 July
12:48 BST 3 July
Media caption,
Prime Minister Keir Starmer pays tribute to Jota
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has offered his condolences to Diogo Jota's friends and family after being asked about the Liverpool footballer at a media briefing.
"Let me start with Jota because this is devastating news," he said. "I am sure I speak for everyone in saying our first thoughts are going to be with his family and his friends in particular.
"There are millions of Liverpool fans but also football fans and non-fans who will also be shocked by this.
"It is devastating and really important we bear in mind just how difficult a period this will be for his friends and for his family."
Image source, Getty Images
