Diogo Jota’s death aged 28 is being mourned by the football community – especially those who he touched personally.
Jota, who was killed in a car accident with his brother Andre in northern Spain while en route to catch an overnight ferry to the UK, made a particular impact on one supporter.
The fan, Steven Davies, had got in touch after his own son Liam was going through a difficult time.
Jota took the time to send Liam a video message of support, saying: ‘Hello Liam, I believe that you are not having an easy time right now, so I just wanted to get in touch to say you have the support of everyone at Liverpool, just as you have always supported us.
‘I’m no expert but whenever I’m struggling I always make sure I listen to the doctors and do exactly what they tell me to do, all the things they say, like eating and drinking the right stuff make a big difference for me whenever I’m struggling.
‘Hopefully it will be the same for you. Take care of yourself and hopefully we will see you back in Anfield before too long.’
Steven Davies, a big Liverpool fan, shared a video Diogo Jota sent to his son, Liam
Jota, seen lifting the Premier League trophy in May, died in a car accident in Spain
The sweet gesture meant a lot to Steven, who shared the old clip after the tragic news of Jota’s passing emerged today.
On X, he wrote: ‘4 years ago when my lad was at his lowest, Diogo took the time to record this for him and it helped more than he will ever know.
‘It was a small task, but it meant to so much and I would have loved to have thanked for him personally for it. Thank you Diogo.’
He later added that he was struggling to process the devastatingly sad news and called on Liverpool to retire Jota’s No 20.
Jota was regarded as a gentleman with no ego and he was adored by his Liverpool team-mates, many of whom have taken to social media to share their tributes.
Darwin Nunez was the first of the Liverpool players to post, sharing a picture of him and Jota celebrating a goal at Anfield.
The Uruguayan wrote: ‘There are no words to comfort you for so much pain. I will always remember you with your smile, as a good teammate on and off the field.
‘I send all my strength to your family, from where I am sure he will always be with you, especially your wife and three children. RIP Diogo and Andre.’
Darwin Nunez (right) was the first to share his tribute to Liverpool team-mate Jota
Nunez said he will always remember Jota’s smile and said there are no words of comfort
The supercar crashed and caught fire, also igniting the surrounding vegetation
Luis Diaz added a post to his Instagram story, with Jota holding up the shirt with Diaz on the back at the time the Colombian’s father had been kidnapped.
He added a message on his grid, writing: ‘They only say we lose friends when we forget them. I will never forget you my brother.’
Stefan Bajcetic posted a picture of them training together on his Instagram story along with the caption: ‘You will be remembered my friend.’
Jota had been travelling in a car with his brother Andre, who is also a 26-year-old footballer, when the vehicle went off road and the tragic news comes just two weeks after Jota married his long-term girlfriend Rute Cardoso in Porto.
The tyre of his Lamborghini, reportedly a £150,000 Urus SUV, is said to have blown out while overtaking on the A-52 at Cernadilla near Zamora in northwestern Spain, close to the border with Portugal.
Luis Diaz shared this image of Jota celebrating a goal by holding his shirt up
The supercar came off the road, rolled and then burst into flames at around 12.35am, also igniting the surrounding vegetation.
The emergency services were called but the brothers could not be saved.
Liverpool FC said in a statement that the club is ‘devastated’ by the tragedy and that Diogo’s family, friends and fans had suffered an ‘unimaginable loss’.
Flowers and tributes are being laid outside Anfield today, with many fans in tears.
Jota had married his childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso, the mother of his three children, in the last fortnight. Here they are pictured on their wedding day
Diogo and Andre’s deaths were then confirmed by the Portuguese Football Federation at around 8am.
Jota starred for Liverpool as they won the Premier League title in May and also played for Portugal’s national team and helped it win the Nations League last month.
His brother played with Portuguese club Penafiel in the lower divisions.
Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and won three major trophies with the Merseyside club – including the Premier League title last season.
His death has sent shockwaves through the club and many, like Steven, will remember him incredibly fondly.
