Trent Alexander-Arnold pays tribute to Diogo Jota after Dortmund win
But for the England international, the result felt insignificant compared to the heartbreaking news of Diogo Jota's passing. Fighting back tears, Trent shared,
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'I'm completely devastated, honestly. He was more than a friend; he was like family to me.' His grief was clear as he struggled to find words during the post-match interview.
Trent explained that he found out about Jota's death when he woke up to countless messages offering condolences.
'At first, I didn't understand. I had to check social media to see what was happening. I thought there must have been a mistake… but sadly, it wasn't. I'm still in shock,' he admitted, his voice shaking with emotion.
Despite the pain he felt, Trent showed incredible professionalism by playing more than an hour in the high-stakes game, even providing an assist to help his team reach the semi-finals.
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Pain beyond words
Although he was clearly heartbroken, Trent took a moment to praise the way the football community had come together to honour Diogo Jota.
'It's been amazing to see everyone showing their support, both on and off the pitch. I know his family must really appreciate it,' he said gratefully.
When reflecting on the 3-2 win, Trent acknowledged that while it was an important result for Real Madrid, it couldn't fill the emptiness left by his friend's death.
'Of course, the victory is special, but nothing can make up for the void Diogo's passing has left. He was a wonderful person and a fantastic player, and he'll never be forgotten,' he concluded.
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Real Madrid fans, teammates, and football supporters across the world have joined Alexander-Arnold in mourning the sudden loss of Diogo Jota, sending messages of love and support to his family.
However, despite the pain and grief, Real Madrid will carry on their journey at the Club World Cup.
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