The football community is in mourning following the tragic death of Diogo Jota, a talented forward who was just 28 years old. Jota's longtime agent, Jorge Mendes, was seen supporting the family, including Jota's wife, Rute Cardoso, whom he had married just weeks prior. Mendes spent almost half an hour with the grieving family before departing without making any statements.
On Thursday evening, a convoy of hearses carrying the bodies of Jota and his brother left the morgue in Puebla de Sanabria, heading toward Gondomar near Porto. This tragic event occurred after the brothers' Lamborghini veered off the road and burst into flames shortly after midnight. Preliminary police reports indicate that a tyre may have burst, leading to the fatal accident.
A public wake is scheduled to take place at a chapel in Gondomar starting at 4:00 p.m. local time (1500 GMT), with the funeral set for Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in a church nearby, according to the office of Gondomar's mayor. The death of Jota has sent shockwaves through the world of football, prompting an outpouring of tributes from former teammates, clubs, national leaders, and fans.
Outside Liverpool's Anfield Stadium, fans have been leaving flowers, scarves, and handwritten notes, many of which are from children expressing their sorrow. Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah shared his feelings on Instagram, stating, "I never thought there would be something that would frighten me of going back to Liverpool after the summer break. Teammates come and go but not like this. It’s going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won’t be there when we go back."
Clubs across Europe, including Paris St Germain, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Real Madrid, also held moments of silence during training sessions for their matches at the Club World Cup in the United States. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca noted that forward Pedro Neto was contemplating whether to play in the upcoming quarter-final match against Palmeiras as he mourns the loss of his close friend.
In a heartfelt statement, Jota's manager at Liverpool, Arne Slot, expressed his condolences, stating, "My thoughts are with his family. My message to them is very clear – you will never walk alone." He emphasized that Jota was not just a player for the club but a beloved member of the team, highlighting the profound sense of shock felt by all.
In Gondomar, a town of approximately 160,000 residents known for its artisanal gold and filigree jewelry, people are struggling to cope with the sudden loss of their local hero. At the Diogo Jota Academy, established in 2022 for children aged 6-9, tributes have poured in, with candles, flowers, and scarves placed in memory of the player. The academy's motto, "It’s not important where we come from, but where we are going," resonates deeply with the community.
Jota opened the academy at the Gondomar Football Club, where he played for ten years as a child. It was in Gondomar's high school that he met his wife, Rute, who became an integral part of his life. They began dating at age 15 while in the same class, and she later shared, "Besides being his girlfriend and best friend, I'm his number one fan."
Following a recent surgery for a fractured rib, Jota was advised to avoid air travel for six weeks. His physiotherapist, Miguel Goncalves, revealed that Jota was recovering well from the pneumothorax surgery and had planned to take a ferry back to the UK from Spain.
The heartbreaking loss of Diogo Jota serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the deep connections forged within the world of football. As tributes continue to flow in, the football community stands united in grief, honoring the legacy of a remarkable player.
