
Raul Jimenez wears Diogo Jota shirt before copying star's goal celebration in emotional tribute to former team-mate
The football world remains
Advertisement
6
Raul Jimenez wore a shirt with Diogo Jota's name and number on the back as he came out for the Gold Cup final with Mexico
Credit: Reddit
6
Jimenez and Jota were teammates at Wolves for two years
Credit: Reuters
6
Jota and his brother Andre Silva tragically died in a car accident last week
Credit: Getty
Both Jota and Silva were killed in a car accident in Spain
Tributes for the pair have poured in over the days that followed the tragedy and Jota's former teammate Jimenez is the latest to give a touching nod to the Liverpool star.
Jimenez, who played with Jota for two years at Wolves, wore a shirt with his name and number on the back as he walked out onto the pitch for
The 34-year-old
Advertisement
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
And in the moment of jubilation Jimenez took another chance to honour his friend by copying Jota's 'Fifa' celebration.
Jimenez mimicked playing video games in the same way that Jota previously did after scoring a 94th minute winner in a 4-3 victory over Tottenham in 2023.
Jimenez also took the shirt he was wearing during the walkout and national anthems with Jota's name and laid it out on the floor during the celebration.
Advertisement
Most read in Football
Exclusive
Exclusive
6
Jimenez replicated Jota's iconic celebration when he scored the equaliser for Mexico
Credit: Reuters
6
Jota's 'Fifa' celebration was born out of a last minute winner against Tottenham in 2023
Credit: Getty
Jota was an avid video game fan and known to be one of the best Fifa players in professional football, previously topping PlayStation's FIFA Ultimate Team Champions leaderboard as world No1 in 2021.
Jimenez and his Mexico team-mates went on to add a second goal through
Advertisement
Jimenez had spoken before the game about the heartbreaking loss of Jota, recalling the memories he will cherish with the Premier League champion.
He said: "He was a great teammate. We shared many beautiful moments being important parts of what Wolves achieved in those times.
"It's very tough to learn this type of news about someone so close to you and who was a great friend."
While he also reacted to the news on social media last week with a message that read: "It's hard to get this kind of news and I still can't believe it. An excellent colleague, friend and above all a great father.
Advertisement
"Thank you for everything friend, we will always remember you. A hug to heaven R.I.P."
6
Jimenez and Mexico won the Gold Cup
Credit: AFP
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Daily Mirror
36 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ireland striker Aaron Connolly ‘buzzing' as he seals move to League One side
Aaron Connolly says he is 'buzzing' to get started with Leyton Orient, after confirmation on Monday that the nine-time capped Ireland striker had signed a two-year contract with the League One side. Connolly was a free agent after coming to the end of a short-term deal at Millwall. A former Premier League striker with Brighton, the 25-year-old is looking to recapture the form that once marked him out as a top Irish prospect. Connolly said: 'I'm buzzing to be here. I met with the Gaffer last Monday, and straight away we both wanted to get it done. 'I'm delighted to be here, and the Gaffer was a main factor in me coming here. I know the club just missed out on promotion last year, but we're hoping to go one better this year. 'I had my first session today, and I'm delighted that the transfer is done now. It happened quite quickly, which is always good for a player.' Connolly burst onto the scene with Brighton, scoring twice against Tottenham in his first Premier League start. In total, he netted eight times in 52 appearances for the Seagulls, including five in the top-flight, but his struggles to nail down regular first-team football saw him loaned to Middlesbrough, Venezia and Hull City. A long-term move to Hull followed, but after he scored eight goals in 30 appearances during the 2023/24 campaign he left the club and spent last summer undergoing rehabilitation for alcohol addiction. He moved to Sunderland late last September and played 11 times, scoring once against Millwall, and last January he joined the Lions on a six-month contract. After scoring once in 14 appearances, he was released at the end of that deal. Connolly on Monday became Orient's fifth signing of the summer, joining another former Brighton player, and ex-Shamrock Rovers prospect Killian Cahill. The Leyton Orient squad also includes former Ireland Under-21 winger Ollie O'Neill. Head coach Richie Wellens said: 'I tried to sign Aaron when I was at Swindon a few years ago, but he then scored a hat-trick against MK Dons in the EFL Trophy. Everyone was in for him after that. 'He's talented, quick, good on the ball and skilful. He's got an eye for goal, and he scored twice on his Premier League debut for Brighton. 'The ability is all there, and when I met him recently I got a really good vibe off him. I sense that there is a burning desire for him to do well. 'If we can get Aaron firing, I have absolutely no doubt in his abilities.'


The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Billionaire hedge fund manager, 59, set for shock debut in ATP Challenger event and will partner Wimbledon champ
HEDGE FUND billionaire Bill Ackman is set to make his ATP debut alongside two-time Wimbledon doubles champ Jack Sock - at the age of 59. The pair will take to the court tomorrow at an ATP Challenger event - the Hall of Fame Open in Newport, Rhode Island. Advertisement 4 Ackman is poised to make a startling late debut in professional tennis Credit: Getty 4 Jack Sock (right) secured doubles titles at Wimbledon in 2014 and 2018 Credit: AFP Ackman has a net worth of £6.75billion through his role as founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management. The New York native has previously shared the court non-competitively with names such as Ackman will be joined by Jack Sock, a former tennis pro who peaked at No8 in the singles rankings, and won three Grand Slam doubles titles, including two at Wimbledon. Ackman said via X: "I am playing the best tennis of my life and Jack is one of the greatest doubles players ever. Advertisement READ MORE ON TENNIS "If we win, I am pretty sure I will be the oldest person in tennis history at 59 to win ATP points." Ackman is just wide of the mark with that claim thanks to Gardnar Mulloy, who held an ATP doubles ranking at the age of 64. Ackman was initially set to partner tennis maverick Sock had officially stepped back from tennis to focus on pickleball, but stepped in to partner Ackman - despite only first meeting him last week. Advertisement Most read in Sport Comment 4 Sock's last ATP event came at the US Open in August of 2023 Credit: AFP 4 Sock boasts three doubles Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold in mixed doubles from Rio 2016 Credit: Getty Images - Getty JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS It was Sock's request for a wildcard place for the duo that allowed them to participate in the tournament, where they will be sponsored by Nike. Advertisement Wimbledon star's dad breaks down in tears live on BBC after seeing 'emotional' son beat former finalist Sock previously won the doubles event at the Hall of Fame Open in 2021 alongside partner William Blumberg. They will play Australian duo Omar Jasika and Bernard Tomic in the round of 16, with the latter previously having reached a career high single ranking of No17. A victory over the Aussies would win both players 25 ATP ranking points alongside a cash prize of almost £1,500 - which Ackman says would go to Sock. Oldest players to earn ATP doubles rankings points The five oldest players to earn ATP Doubles rankings points according to World Tennis Magazine, and where Ackman would fit should they win tomorrow. Gardnar Mulloy - 64 in 1978 *Bill Ackman - 60 in 2025 Lars Elvstrom - 59 in 2009 Guillermo Oropez - 57 in 2004 Antonio Zugarelli - 55 in 2005 Pancho Segura - 54 in 1976 *Should Ackman, 59, win, his ranking points would not run off until he was 60, meaning he would still have earned an ATP Doubles ranking at 60.


Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Aaron Connolly agrees two-year contract with Leyton Orient
Ireland international Aaron Connolly has penned a two-year contract with English League One club Leyton Orient. The Galway native was a free agent following his recent release from Millwall, where he scored once in 14 Championship games after joining in January from fellow Championship outfit Sunderland. Nine-times capped Connolly burst onto the Premier League scene with Brighton and Hove Albion by scoring a brace against Tottenham Hotspur in 2019. Maintaining that trajectory was a struggle and it was only last October when the 25-year-old revealed his battle with alcoholism. He had spells with Italian side Venezia, Middlesbrough and Hull City and this will be his first time operating in League One since being a loanee at Luton Town before his breakthrough at Brighton and Hove Albion. "I'm delighted to be here, and the Gaffer was a main factor in me coming here," Connolly told the club website. "I know the club just missed out on promotion last year, but we're hoping to go one better this year." Manager of the London side, Richie Wellens, said "I tried to sign Aaron when I was at Swindon a few years ago, but he then scored a hat-trick against MK Dons in the EFL Trophy. Everyone was in for him after that. "He's talented, quick, good on the ball and skilful. He's got an eye for goal, and he scored twice on his Premier League debut for Brighton. "The ability is all there, and when I met him recently I got a really good vibe off him. I sense that there is a burning desire for him to do well. "If we can get Aaron firing, I have absolutely no doubt in his abilities."