Diogo Jota's family receives emotional vow from Liverpool's captain in tribute to late soccer star
In an emotional post shared Thursday on Instagram, a 'devastated' Van Dijk honored Jota, who perished in a car wreck early Thursday in Spain that also claimed the life of his younger brother, Andre Silva.
'Man, I can't believe it, I don't wanna believe it,' the 33-year-old captain began. 'Absolutely devastated and in total disbelief.
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'What a human being, what a player, but most importantly what an unbelievable family man.'
8 Virgil van Dijk (l.) and Diogo Jota (r.) in April 2023.
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8 Diogo Jota tragically died in a car crash in July 2025. He was 28 years old.
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Jota, a dad to three young children with wife Rute Cardoso, whom he married just weeks ago in June, was then promised by Van Dijk that his loved ones would be supported.
'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,' he expressed.
'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.'
8 Diogo Jota and wife Rute Cardoso are parents to three young children.
@rutecfcardoso14/Instagram
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8 Virgil van Dijk celebrated with the Premier League trophy in May 2025.
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Van Dijk, who has served as Liverpool's captain since July 2023, then bid farewell to his late friend with a heartfelt message about Jota's legacy.
'We will miss you beyond words and never forget you,' he wrote. 'Your legacy will live on, we will make sure of it!'
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8 Rute Cardoso and Diogo Jota wed in June 2025.
@diogoj_18/Instagram
Jota had played for Liverpool since 2020 and scored 65 goals across 182 appearances.
He and his brother were found dead after his Lamborghini veered off the road and burst into flames.
Jota was 28 years old, and Andre was 25.
8 Flowers and tributes are left outside Liverpool's Anfield Stadium following Diogo Jota's death.
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8 Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson attends a tribute for Diogo Jota on July 4, 2025, in Liverpool.
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'Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota,' the club said in a statement, adding that it requests 'the privacy of Diogo and Andre's family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.
Van Dijk isn't the only member of the club who has paid tribute to Jota.
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Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah said Friday he's 'truly lost for words' in the wake of the tragic accident.
8 Diogo Jota had played for Liverpool since 2020.
REUTERS
'Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me of going back to Liverpool after the break,' he posted on Instagram. 'Team mates come and go but not like this. It's going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won't be there when we go back. My thoughts are with his wife, his children, and of course his parents who suddenly lost their children.'
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Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson visited a growing memorial outside Anfield in Liverpool, England, on Friday, where he wiped away tears while paying his respects.
Loved ones of Jota and his younger brother gathered in Portugal on Friday ahead of a wake.
The funeral is planned for Saturday.
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