Joao Felix says late Jota 'will forever be part of football history'
Just 11 days prior to the accident, the Portuguese forward had married Rute Cardoso, the mother of his three children.
The Premier League remembered Jota over the weekend in a series of moving tributes.
Adding his voice to the outpouring of grief across the football world, Felix looked visibly moved as he spoke about his good friend and international colleague.
Felix, who was among the mourners at the brothers' funeral, said: "Diogo to me was one of my best friends in the national team, he was always part of our mini group in the national team, those of us who were always together.
"I knew his family, especially his parents, an incredible family."
Speaking in Hong Kong, where Felix is with his new team Al Nassr for this week's Saudi Super Cup, the 25-year-old added: "I think he will forever be a part of football history, he will remain in the hearts of those who were already close to him.
"After that day, every time we go on the field we will remember him and play in part for him."
The attacker Felix joined fellow Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr late last month from Chelsea in a move reported to be worth up to 43.7 million pounds ($58 million).
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
France 24
an hour ago
- France 24
Ronaldo gets Hong Kong hero's welcome, avoids Messi pitfall
The 40-year-old former Manchester United and Real Madrid ace Ronaldo got an assist in a 2-1 Saudi Super Cup win over Al Ittihad, who had French veteran Karim Benzema up front. "Ronaldo, Ronaldo," rang out from the moment that he came out to warm up on a sweltering and damp evening in southern China, where several pitch invaders unsuccessfully tried to get to the superstar at the end. Cheers went up every time that the Portuguese captain, wearing his trademark number seven shirt, touched the ball. It was all a far cry from the rabid reaction Messi sparked when he remained on the bench for an Inter Miami friendly at the same Hong Kong Stadium in February last year. The Argentine wizard's no-show drew boos and calls for refunds from thousands of fans who had paid large sums to see the World Cup-winning captain play. The 38-year-old said he was injured but that failed to quell a spectacular fallout that saw China cancel two friendly matches featuring Argentina. Some nationalist politicians and outlets in China interpreted Messi's absence -- and his subsequent appearance at a similar match in Japan -- as a snub. Messi and Ronaldo have duelled it out for more than 15 years for the unofficial title of best player in the world, although the Argentine is generally regarded to have got the upper hand in recent years. Both remain massively popular and marketable even in the twilight of their careers, with fans camping outside Ronaldo's hotel in Hong Kong to catch a glimpse of him. Some even booked rooms in his hotel and a museum dedicated to him opened in the city last month. Local media said that Ronaldo was "emotional" when told during a brief appearance there this week about the local interest, especially from younger fans. "This means more to me than any trophy," he was quoted as saying. Pitch invaders Former Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane put Al Nassr ahead before Al Ittihad struck back soon after. Mane was sent off after 25 minutes following a VAR review. Ronaldo had a couple of sniffs at goal six minutes before the break but was denied on both occasions, then he fizzed a free-kick narrowly over the bar. He set up the winner, pulling clear of the Al Ittihad defence and squaring it for fellow Portuguese Joao Felix, the new signing from Chelsea, to slot in. A young fan with a "7 Ronaldo" shirt invaded the pitch as the veteran was subbed off in the last minute but security foiled the youngster's attempt to get a selfie with him. Two more young fans were wrestled to the ground after the final whistle when they invaded the pitch and made a beeline for Ronaldo.
France 24
3 hours ago
- France 24
Klopp 'decisive' in move to Leipzig, says Bakayoko
With links to Premier League sides Everton and Nottingham Forest as well as Borussia Dortmund, the in-demand Bakayoko, 22, signed with Leipzig in July. The winger was one of several young additions to Leipzig's squad in the first transfer window under Klopp, who took over as Red Bull's global head of football in January. In an interview with AFP and other media on Tuesday, Bakayoko revealed Klopp's role in recruitment and said his chat with the former Liverpool coach was the "decision point" for the move. "When I had the talk with Jurgen Klopp, for me I thought 'OK, I have to go'. "That was the trigger point for me to say: OK. "(Klopp said) we are here to make you better. We need you. And that's what I want. "So it was a perfect match." Red Bull own RB Leipzig as well as clubs in Austria, the United States, Brazil and Japan and hold minority stakes in Paris FC and Leeds United. The winger said teammate Xavi Simons, who has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea, was not distracted by the transfer speculation as the pre-season preparations have continued. "When you're good, that's what happens. (Rumours) are just a part of it. "Xavi is really professional. He doesn't look like a player that's been linked to other clubs." A PSV youth product, Bakayoko has played 18 times for Belgium, scoring once.
France 24
10 hours ago
- France 24
Carlos Alcaraz wins Cincinnati Open after Jannik Sinner retires
On the women's side, the unstoppable Iga Swiatek lifted the trophy. The world No. 3 defeated Italy's Jasmine Paolini in straight sets in the final. At just 24 years old, Swiatek now holds 24 career titles. In football, Real Madrid kick off their season on Tuesday when they host Osasuna. The club will also be in the spotlight in Hong Kong, where former star strikers Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema will meet in the semi-finals of the Saudi Super Cup.
