Friday's briefing: ‘Shocked' Liverpool players pay tribute to Diogo Jota
Football pays tribute to Diogo Jota
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot insists everyone associated with the club owes it to Diogo Jota to 'stand together and be there for one another'.
Slot said the Reds were in 'absolute shock' after the death of the 28-year-old Portugal forward and his brother Andre Silva in Spain in the early hours of Thursday.
'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,' Slot wrote in a personal statement published on the club's website.
Arne Slot statement:
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 3, 2025
'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.
'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 team-mate, a colleague, a workmate and in all of those roles he was very special.
'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.'
Tributes were laid at Anfield in memory of Diogo Jota (Peter Byrne/PA)
According to BBC Sport, Jota was returning for pre-season training next week via ferry after being advised not to fly following minor surgery.
Reds captain Virgil van Dijk said on Instragram he was 'absolutely devastated and in total disbelief.'
The Dutch defender wrote in a post alongside a picture of Jota with the Premier League trophy: '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! Rest in perfect peace Diogo & Andre.'
Mourners are set to gather to honour Jota at a wake in Portugal on Friday morning, a local parish priest has said.
Jose Manuel Macedo, parish priest at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme, told the PA news agency in a translated message that a wake for the brothers will take place at 8am at the nearby Capela da Ressurreicao before their funeral at the Igreja Matriz on Saturday at 10am.
Spain impress in Euros opener
World champions Spain thrashed Portugal 5-0 in their Euro 2025 Group B opener in Bern, where there was a minute's silence ahead of kick-off in memory of Jota.
Players wore black armbands, while some fans had made signs in tribute to the Liverpool forward.
Esther Gonzalez fired Spain ahead with barely 90 seconds on the clock before Barcelona teenager Vicky Lopez doubled the lead in the seventh minute.
La Roja scored another couple of quickfire goals just before half-time through Alexia Putellas and Gonzalez's tap-in, with substitute Cristina Martin-Prieto then heading home a fifth in stoppage time.
In Thursday's other Group B match, Italy beat Belgium 1-0 in Sion through a first-half goal from Arianna Caruso.
Jurgen Klopp mourns loss of 'great friend'
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits he is struggling to comprehend Jota's death.
Klopp, for whom his Christian faith has played a big part in his life, wrote on Instagram: 'This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can't see it!'
The German coach, who signed Jota from Wolves in 2020, added: '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.'
Não faz sentido. Ainda agora estávamos juntos na Seleção, ainda agora tinhas casado. À tua familia, à tua mulher e aos teus filhos, envio os meus sentimentos e desejo-lhes toda a força do mundo. Sei que estarás sempre com eles. Descansem em Paz, Diogo e André. Vamos todos sentir… pic.twitter.com/H1qSTvPoQs
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) July 3, 2025
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo led the tributes to his international team-mate.
'It doesn't make sense. Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you had got married,' Ronaldo said in a post on X alongside a photo of Jota.
'To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world.'
What's on tomorrow?
Working towards our QF clash. 😤 pic.twitter.com/xEc7qwYwUb
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 3, 2025
Chelsea will aim to secure a place in the Club World Cup semi-finals when they come up against Palmeiras in Philadelphia on Friday night (0200 Saturday BST).
Saudi side Al-Hilal are out to follow-up their shock win over Manchester City when they take on Fluminense in Orlando.
At Euro 2025, England boss Sarina Wiegman will hold a press conference ahead of the holders' opening match against France in Zurich.
Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson is also set to speak to the media before the nation's first major tournament appearance, taking on the Netherlands in Lucerne.
Elsewhere in Group C, Germany start their campaign against Poland in St Gallen after Denmark tackle Scandinavian rivals Sweden in Geneva.
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Glasgow Times
26 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Nuno Borges says Wimbledon blocked Portugal shirt as tribute to Diogo Jota
Instead he wore a black ribbon pinned to his hat during Friday's third-round match against Karen Khachanov, but said his team had initially pushed for a more visible tribute. 'I know Wimbledon is usually not very flexible with attire,' Borges told the PA news agency. 'But I was told we could still do something to pay our respects for what happened, so I think it was a nice gesture. 'He was a great footballer. It was a tragedy.' Francisco Cabral of Portugal wearing a black ribbon in memory of compatriot Diogo Jota (Mike Egerton/PA) Borges, who lost a five-set thriller, said his agent contacted Wimbledon about the idea of wearing a Portugal shirt, and even tried to source a white version to comply with dress rules, but it was not approved. 'We initially talked about getting a full jersey to walk on court,' he said. 'I even tried to find one in white, but it was turned down, so we ended up doing something a little smaller.' Asked if Wimbledon should have allowed the shirt, he said: 'I think that's what makes Wimbledon special and different from every other Slam, so I really don't know.' Wimbledon relaxed its 148-year-old dress code in light of Jota's death, allowing players to wear black ribbons or armbands. Borges was among several players who did, including fellow Portuguese doubles player Francisco Cabral. Cabral, who wore a ribbon on his shirt sleeve during a doubles match with Lucas Miedler, said: 'Yesterday the idea of wearing a black strap came up – that was not allowed. 'I asked for permission to use the black ribbon and they let me play with it.' He described it as 'an honour', adding: 'It was not for the best reason – he was an inspiration not only for me but for the country in general. 'He made so much in the sport and conquered so much in my life. If I helped 1% for the family I will be super happy.' Cabral and Miedler lost their second-round match in straight sets to Czech pair Petr Nouza and Patrik Rikl. Wimbledon's dress code has long restricted visible colour on court, and tributes are rarely granted. The gesture marked a rare moment of flexibility from organisers, after the deaths of Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who were killed in Spain while travelling to catch a ferry to England. British doubles player and Liverpool fan Neal Skupski had also taken a black armband for his match on Thursday, but opted not to wear it after learning of the death of his grandmother shortly after coming off court. He said he may wear one 'in the next couple of days'.
Sky News
33 minutes ago
- Sky News
Diogo Jota's family and Liverpool staff attend wake ahead of funeral
22:09:17 We're pausing our live coverage We will be resuming our updates tomorrow, when the funeral for Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva takes place. Here's a recap of what's happened today... Family mourns alongside fans at wake Jota and Silva's wake took place at a church in their hometown of Gondomar this afternoon. The wake was initially private and attended by the brothers' families, including Jota's wife Rute Cardoso, who he married less than two weeks before his death. Staff from Liverpool FC, and former teammates of both Jota and Silva, were also seen arriving. The doors of the chapel were later opened to members of the public, who queued around the square to say their final goodbyes. Funeral details announced The brothers' funeral is scheduled for 9am tomorrow, Gondomar's mayor's office said. Some Liverpool players and staff are expected to attend. More tributes pour in Liverpool forward Mo Salah and ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho were among those who today shared moving tributes to Jota and Silva. At Anfield, former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson was seen wiping away tears as he placed a floral tribute outside the stadium. 21:44:32 The main emotion was disbelief as hundreds said a final goodbye By Tyrone Francis, sports producer in Gondomar A steady flow of hundreds, possibly a thousand, people queued patiently in over 30-degree heat to pay their respects at the Capela da Ressurreicao. The small, unassuming white building, symbolic of this close-knit community, saw famous figures and members of the public alike say a final goodbye to Diogo Jota and his younger brother, Andre Silva. Their wooden coffins were positioned a metre apart, side-by-side in the centre of a dimly-lit square room. The hall had three walls lined with pews, full with people, reflecting on the lives of the two footballers, aged just 28 and 25. Quiet sobs and the movement of single sheets of paper being used as fans to keep cool were the only noises audible in the room. Emotions were sombre and visitors wiped the tears that trickled down their cheeks. But the main emotion was one of disbelief that two skilful footballers - with their whole careers ahead of them – are gone way too early. The caskets, surrounded by wreaths and draped in white roses, were the central focus of everyone's attention. No one cared who else was in the room, people cried, people reflected and people prayed with their heads bowed down. Footballers Bernardo Silva, Fabinho and Thiago Alcântara were in the room at the time. But the most poignant image will be that of Diogo Jota's wife, who sat on the floor in between the two coffins, a place she had been since arriving in the early hours of the morning. The queues continued outside where two books of condolence had been set up for mourners to pen their tributes. As bells at the neighbouring church, where tomorrow's funeral service will be held, ring on the hour, every hour, this community remembers two talents, the humble guys who represented them on the grass pitch of the world's biggest stage. 20:41:01 Mourinho reflects on Jota's career Jose Mourinho, who shared an agent with Jota, is the latest figure from the footballing world to pay tribute to the Liverpool star. Speaking to Sky Sports News, he said: "Nothing was easy for him, he had to fight to arrive where he arrived. "He was not chasing protagonism, protagonism found him because of his talent." The Portuguese manager, who was speaking at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, added: "When people leave this world, normally we all say 'such a nice guy'. Diogo was really a nice guy." 20:02:01 Mourners bring flowers to public wake A long line of mourners formed outside the Portuguese chapel where the wake took place. Initially held in private for family, it later opened up to the public, with hundreds queuing around the 17th-century church. Many people brought flowers and some wore Liverpool tops. 19:24:01 'It's unbearable' for Jota's parents, says former Premier League manager Former Chelsea and Spurs boss Andre Villa-Boas has spoken to Sky News sports correspondent Rob Harris outside the wake. Villa-Boas is now the president of Portuguese club Porto, where Andre Silva – who died with his brother in the crash on Thursday – played at youth level. "There's nothing that can overcome the pain of the family," Villa-Boas said. "To a father, to a mother, it's unbearable." Villa-Boas said Jota and Andre were perfect examples of "what a professional [footballer] should be". Addressing the outpouring of tributes from the brothers' local community, Villa-Boas added: "This is something those two boys deserve." 18:43:37 Liverpool staff arrive to pay their respects Liverpool executives and backroom staff have travelled to the church where the wake is being held. The club's CEO, Billy Hogan, and technical director, Julian Ward, are among those who are there to pay their respects. The men all wore black as they made their way to the wake. As we reported earlier (see our 17.27 post), several Liverpool players and staff are expected at Jota's funeral tomorrow. 18:24:02 Portuguese president joins Jota's family and footballers at wake Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has joined the family of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre at a wake for the two footballers. The president of the Portuguese Football Federation, Pedro Provenza, was also seen at the church in Gondomar, where the pair's bodies have been taken. A number of footballers are also there to pay their respects. These include Jota's former Wolves and Portugal teammate Joao Moutinho and Nottingham Forest's Jota Silva. 18:07:48 Minute's silence held at Women's Euros Tributes to Jota are continuing at the Women's Euros tournament in Switzerland. Players from Denmark and Sweden observed a minute of silence shortly before their match in Geneva kicked off this evening. It comes after Spain and Portugal honoured Jota before their game last night. 17:27:28 Liverpool players to attend Jota's funeral – reports Several Liverpool players and staff are expected at Jota's funeral tomorrow, according to The Athletic and Portuguese media. It is believed a flight to Portugal has been chartered by the club, although no arrangements have been confirmed so far. Some players had been due back at the side's training facilities to begin the preliminaries of pre-season testing today. But the phased return was postponed while those at the club come to terms with Jota's death.
The Herald Scotland
35 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Emma Raducanu goes down swinging in thrilling loss to Aryna Sabalenka
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