Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and his predecessor Jurgen Klopp have led tributes to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva after their deaths in a car accident in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Slot described “the sense of shock” at Liverpool following “an unimaginable loss” and hailed Jota as a player and a person, while Klopp said he was “heartbroken” by the news.
Liverpool forward Jota and Silva, who was also a professional footballer, were killed when their car came off the road in the province of Zamora, in north west Spain.
In a statement released on Thursday evening, Slot said: “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.
Well-wishers have paid tribute to Jota at a memorial set up close to Anfield (Paul Barker/AFP via Getty Images)
“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.”
Jota was recently married to Rute Cardoso in his home city of Porto, in northern Portugal, around 300km to the west of Zamora. The couple have three children.
Slot continued: “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. His name is Diogo.”
Klopp signed Jota from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 and coached him for four seasons until the German stepped down at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
“This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can’t see it,” Klopp said on Instagram. “I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Diogo and his brother Andre.
“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! All my prayers, thoughts and power to Rute, the kids, the family, the friends and everyone who loved them! Rest in peace — Love.”
Klopp signed Jota from Wolves in 2020 (Laurence Griffiths/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Speaking on behalf of the “Liverpool family”, the club’s sporting director Richard Hughes and Fenway Sports Group chief executive of football Michael Edwards said they were “utterly bereft” and “will look to honour our beloved number 20 with the respect and affection he so richly deserves”.
“There is nothing that we can say in this moment to ease the pain of such a devastating tragedy,” read a statement from Edwards and Hughes.
“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.Rest in peace, Diogo. YNWA”.
Elsewhere, tributes from across the football world continue to pour in for both men.
Cristiano Ronaldo, a teammate of Jota for the Portuguese national team, said the loss of the pair “doesn’t make any sense”.
“Just now we were together in the national team, just now you were married,” Ronaldo, who captains his country, wrote on Instagram.
“To your family, to your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. R.I.P. Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.”
Jota’s Liverpool teammates also began paying tribute to the forward on Thursday.
Full-back Andrew Robertson joined Jota at his wedding and spoke emotionally of “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,” he said. “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.”
“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. Love you, Diogo.”
Midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai wrote on X: “Words can not describe how heartbroken and devastated we are… Your smile, your love for the game will never be forgotten. We will miss you so much, but you will stay with us forever, on and off the pitch. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Rest in peace, brother”.
Midfielder Harvey Elliott wrote on Instagram: “Diogo, I can’t believe you’re gone. It’s hard to put into words how much this hurts us…You were humble, hard-working and always there for anyone that needed anything. I feel so lucky to have shared the pitch with you, shared memories and moments that 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.”
Forward Darwin Nunez, also writing on Instagram, said: “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.”
Midfielder Curtis Jones posted on Instagram: “It’s hard to find the exact words how this feels. An unbelievable player and a great person to everyone. Grateful we shared so many memories on and off the pitch brother. I send my thoughts and prayers to the whole family.”
Liverpool player Stefan Bajcetic posted a picture of him training with Jota on Instagram and wrote simply: “You will be remembered my friend.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold, who recently joined Real Madrid from Liverpool posted on his socia media: “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.
“Diogo, your family was your world. They were everything. For Rute, his children, and his parents, all of our hearts are broken. And for Andre as well. Brothers and best friends. When it’s less painful, I want to remember Diogo with a big smile. So many laughs and happy moments. He was such a great teammate and a true friend.”
Former Liverpool player and manager Kenny Dalglish said: “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.”
James Milner, a former Liverpool team-mate of Jota’s, said on Instagram: “Absolutely loved sharing a dressing room with him, having so many laughs together, constantly winding each other up with our stubborn nature and truly marvelling at the stuff he did on the football pitch. All my thoughts, love and support goes to his family, friends and the Liverpool family.”
Heartfelt tributes were also paid by Jota’s former clubs, Wolves, Porto, Atletico Madrid, Pacos de Ferreira and Gondomar.
Pacos, where the brothers both spent time as youth players, described them as “two extraordinary people who stood out for their humility, responsibility and immense dedication to the club”.
Pacos’ statement continued: “Diogo Jota has become a reference for this club. An athlete with a champion’s attitude who has reached the highest levels of professional football.
“Since his arrival, he has been an example for the many athletes we welcome into our training camp every year and who dream of one day winning on the world’s biggest stages.”
Silva also played for Gondomar and Porto as a youth player, and was a forward for Portuguese second division side Penafiel, from the Porto District.
In a statement, Penafiel said: “The loss of two young lives linked to the world of football fills us with pain and consternation.
“At this difficult time, Futebol Clube Penafiel extends its most sincere condolences to the family, friends and all those who shared moments of life and passion for sport with André and Diogo.”
The Portuguese Football Federation said their deaths “represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football”, and added: “We will do everything we can to honour their legacy on a daily basis.”
Jota won the Premier League title with Liverpool this past season (Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he was “deeply saddened” by the news, saying Jota had a “fantastic career” while Silva was “thriving” at Penafiel.
“They will both be so sorely missed by all those who knew them and by the worldwide football community.”
Ruben Neves, Jota’s former teammate for Wolves and Portugal, was among the first professional players to react to the news, posting on Instagram: “They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you!”
Portugal international and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes shared an image of himself with Jota on Instagram, alongside the message: “Friend, colleague, and companion in a thousand battles. It’s hard to understand how it’s possible for someone to leave so soon.
“May you and your brother find the peace you need to look after those who lost you so suddenly and so soon. My condolences to all your family.”
Jota helped Liverpool to last season’s Premier League title and also won the FA Cup and League Cup in five seasons at Anfield.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice wrote on X: “So, so sad. Heartbreaking! RIP to Diogo and his brother Andre. Sending love and condolences to his family.”
Mikel Merino, also of Arsenal, wrote: “Rest in peace Diogo and Andre. All the strength for the family and friends.”
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said: “Devastating news about Diogo Jota & his brother Andre this morning. Thoughts are with everyone of their family & friends, especially his wife Rute & their three lovely kids.”
Steven Gerrard, also formerly of Liverpool, wrote on X: “RIP Diogo. Condolences to his family during this incredibly sad time.”
As the football world came together in mourning, there were tributes from the Premier League, the Professional Footballers’ Association, the Football Association and clubs from across the English top flight and Europe.
Liverpool’s Merseyside neighbours Everton said they were “deeply saddened” by the news, while a statement from Manchester United read: “Our deepest condolences are with the loved ones of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre, and everyone connected with Liverpool FC following today’s heartbreaking news.”
Outside of football, tennis legend Rafael Nadal and the NBA’s LeBron James were among the sporting stars to send their condolences to the pair’s family and friends.
UEFA, the European governing body, announced a moment’s silence would be observed at all Women’s European Championship matches on Thursday and Friday.
There were also tributes from the British royal family and the world of politics.
Prince William, who is patron of the FA, said in a personal message on social media: “As part of the footballing family, I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Diogo Jota and his brother.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him @LFC @Wolves. W.”
British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Let me start with Jota because this is devastating news. 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.”
Luis Montenegro, Portuguese prime minister, said: “I leave the family my deepest condolences. It’s a sad day for football and for national and international sport.”
(Top photo of Slot and Jota: Alex Livesey/Getty Images))
