Jota 'will never be forgotten', says heartbroken Slot
Jota struck 65 times in 182 appearances since joining the Reds in 2020 and helped Liverpool win the Premier League in Slot's first season in charge earlier this year.
"When the time is right, we will celebrate Diogo Jota, we will remember his goals and we will sing his song," Slot said in a statement.
"For the time being, we will remember him as a unique human being and mourn his loss. He will never be forgotten."
Jota wed his long-time partner and mother of his three children, Rute Cardoso, less than two weeks ago.
"My first thoughts are not those of a football manager. They are of a father, a son, a brother and an uncle and they belong to the family of Diogo and Andre Silva who have experienced such an unimaginable loss," added Slot.
"My message to them is very clear – you will never walk alone.
"The players, the staff, the supporters of Liverpool Football Club are all with you and from what I have seen today, the same can be said of the wider family of football."
Jota, who was capped 49 times by his country, was a popular figure among the Liverpool support, who laid hundreds of bouquets of flowers, shirts and flags in tribute at the club's Anfield Stadium.
"I could say so much about what he brought to our team but the truth is everyone who watched Diogo play could see it," said Slot.
"Hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, goals. The essence of what a Liverpool player should be.
"There were also the parts that not everyone got to see. The person who never sought popularity but found it anyway. Not a friend to two people, a friend to everyone.
"Someone who made others feel good about themselves just by being with them. A person who cared deeply for his family."
© 2025 AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
France 24
32 minutes ago
- France 24
Spain's Bonmati feeling '100 percent' after reaching Euros semis
Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Bonmati was named player of the match in Bern in her second start at the tournament after recovering from a bout of viral meningitis which briefly threatened her chances of playing in the Euros. "Yeah, today I felt 100 percent physically. It was an intense 90 minutes, what I'm used to doing, so I'm happy," Bonmati told reporters. "I didn't know if the meningitis would be a problem for the whole tournament, I worked hard to be ready as soon as I could and now I have my reward." Bonmati played the pass from which Athenea del Castillo broke the brave Swiss resistance in the 66th minute at the Wankdorf Stadium and was key to Spain's patient possession game. "I wanted to enjoy and feel myself as a football player, confident and full of energy. I suffered something that was out of my control, but I overcame it and I am proud that I turned it around." In the last four, world champions Spain will face one of France or Germany in Zurich on Wednesday.
France 24
2 hours ago
- France 24
Spain see off spirited Swiss to reach Euro 2025 semi-finals
Athenea del Castillo and Claudia Pina scored the goals in the second half in Bern to give La Roja deserved passage to the last four where they will face either France or Germany on Wednesday. But Montse Tome's team didn't have it all their own way as hosts Switzerland put up a brave fight in front of a passionate crowd at the Wankdorf Stadium. The Swiss survived an early scare when Mariona Caldentey shot wide a ninth-minute penalty and from there did a great job in gumming up Spain's usually free-flowing football. Pia Sundhage's players acquitted themselves brilliantly in their home tournament and were given a loud round of applause from the majority of the nearly 30,000 supporters. The Swiss, who finished the match with 10 women after Noelle Maritz was sent off in the final minute, had never progressed past the group stage of a Euros before and in the end Spain proved to be too much for the team ranked 23rd in the world. Spain meanwhile overcame a serious test of patience before their superior quality eventually prevailed, with Alexia Putellas' wasted penalty late on changing nothing. An already raucous home crowd roared with delight when Caldentey scuffed wide her spot-kick after the Arsenal forward was brought down by Nadine Riesen. But that didn't discourage Spain who dealt well with the fervent atmosphere and some fierce tackling but struggled to find a way through the home team's packed defence. The efforts that Spain did have on goal were wayward with a series of potshots and blocked efforts before Irene Paredes headed Pina's corner onto the post two minutes before half-time. The same pattern continued after the break with Spain probing and bumping against both a Swiss wall and the woodwork. Patri Guijarro headed another corner onto the post and in the ensuing scramble Esther Gonzalez somehow contrived to strike the other post in front of an open goal. It didn't look like it was going to be Spain's night but del Castillo finally made the breakthrough in the 66th minutes -- four minute after replacing Caldentey -- collecting Aitana Bonmati's through ball and rolling home the goal which ended Switzerland's spirited resistance. Pina whipped home a wonderful second goal five minutes later and that was that for the Swiss, who at least had one more thing to cheer for when Livia Peng pushed out Putellas' weak spot-kick with two minutes remaining.
France 24
4 hours ago
- France 24
Frank aims to take Tottenham to 'new heights'
The 51-year-old Dane joined from Brentford after Spurs sacked Ange Postecoglou after the Australian guided Spurs to Europa League glory -- their first major trophy in 17 years -- but also presided over the club's worst top-flight campaign since 1976-77. But while Frank was generally upbeat about his desire to improve upon Spurs' dismal 17th-placed finish in the Premier League that included 22 defeats in 38 games, he made no guarantees over the future of Son Heung-min and was guarded concerning the club's pursuit of Morgan Gibbs-White. He did confirm club skipper Son and vice-captain Cristian Romero, who have both been linked with a move away from Tottenham during the transfer window, would feature in Saturday's friendly at Reading. But Frank added he had yet to decide on the captaincy, despite Son skippering Spurs to their Europa League final win over Manchester United in May. "Two top players, Sonny, been here 10 years, finally got his his well-deserved trophy in the summer, so important for the team and the club. Cristian Romero, World Cup winner, Europa League winner, Copa America winner, very, very important for us as well," said Frank. He added: "I haven't decided anything on that (captaincy). I have a long list of bullet points I need to get through and I take them in the right order. "He (Son) was the captain last year and when we play two 45s (halves of 45 minutes each) tomorrow, Son and Romero will be the two captains, but I haven't made a final decision." As for Gibbs-White, Tottenham were thought to have triggered the £60 million ($80 million) release clause in the England midfielder's contract at Nottingham Forest. But Forest have accused Spurs of contacting Gibbs-White directly before going to the club and his future remains uncertain. "I will not speak about players who are not mine," said Frank. "I think I have two exceptions and they are getting older –- (Cristiano) Ronaldo and (Lionel) Messi." 'More risk in my daily life' Frank joked he only came to Spurs to be sacked. He also guaranteed they will still lose matches, which was followed by a mention of the unbeaten 2003/04 campaign enjoyed by Arsenal, Tottenham's arch-rivals. "One thing is 100 percent sure, we will lose football matches," he said. "I haven't seen a team that is not losing any football matches. There is Arsenal, that we can't mention, in the Premier League. So I made my first rookie mistake there!" He added: "I have the privilege of I have never been sacked before. That is one of the reasons why I took the job. I get a little bit more risk in my daily life." Frank, however, paid tribute to Postecoglou's time at Spurs by saying: "First and foremost, I have said that before, Ange will forever be a legend here at Tottenham. He is one of three who has won a European trophy and the first in 41 years. Unbelievable, fantastic achievement." It is now nearly 65 years since Spurs were last crowned champions of England, winning both the old First Division and the FA Cup in the 1960/61 season. "Going into a new season and in football, it's about dreaming and hoping," said Frank. "That's what we do. © 2025 AFP
