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New Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Tears and tributes for Diogo Jota and brother Andre
PARIS: Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota died in a car crash in Spain on Thursday along with his brother Andre. AFP Sports picks out the main reaction to the death of the 28-year-old forward, who helped Liverpool win the Premier League title last season: ------ "Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota." – Club statement. ------ "This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can't see it! I'm heartbroken to hear about the passing of Diogo and his brother Andre." – Jurgen Klopp, who when he was Liverpool manager signed Jota in 2020. ------ "It makes no sense. We were just together with the national team (they won the Nations League title last month), you had just gotten married. To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you." – Cristiano Ronaldo. ------ "Absolutely devastated and in total disbelief. 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. My heart is breaking." – Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk. ------ "The sense of shock is absolute. 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." – Liverpool manager Arne Slot. ------ "My prayers goes out to his loved ones during this time! May you all be guided and protected! YNWA (You'll Never Walk Alone) JOTA!!" – Basketball legend and Liverpool shareholder LeBron James. ------ "The news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honoured Portugal's name, and his brother is unexpected and tragic." – Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro. ------ "I'm sure I speak for everyone in saying our first thoughts are going to be with his family and his friends in particular, but there are millions of Liverpool fans, but also football fans, who will also be shocked by this." – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. ------ "We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and Andre Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything to honor their legacy daily." – Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), Diogo Jota won 49 senior caps and won the Nations League title twice, most recently last month. ------ "Aged just 28, Diogo had enjoyed a fantastic career to date and had many great years ahead of him, while his brother Andre was thriving at FC Penafiel – they will both be so sorely missed by all those who knew them and by the worldwide football community." – FIFA president Gianni Infantino ------ "On behalf of the European football community, we are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Diogo Jota, Portugal international and Liverpool FC forward, along with his brother Andre Silva." – UEFA who added there would be a "moment's silence" prior to Thursday and Friday's women's Euro 2025 matches. ------ "They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you!" – Diogo Jota's former Wolves team-mate Ruben Neves. ------ "We are heartbroken. Diogo was adored by our fans, loved by his teammates and cherished by everyone who worked with him during his time at Wolves. The memories he created will never be forgotten. You will be truly missed, and always remembered." – Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers where Diogo Jota played from 2017-2020. ------ "It's difficult to receive this kind of news and I still can't believe it. An excellent team-mate, friend and, above all, a great father. Thanks for everything my friend, we will always remember you. A hug to the sky. RIP." – Former Wolves team-mate Raul Jimenez, who himself came close to dying after suffering a fractured skull in a clash of heads with David Luiz in November, 2020. ------ "There are no words of comfort for so much pain. I will always remember you with your smile, as a good companion on and off the field. I send all my strength to his family, from where he is I'm sure he will always be with you, especially his wife and three children." – Liverpool team-mate Darwin Nunez. ------ "Everyone at the Premier League is shocked and devastated to learn of the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre. Football has lost a champion who will be forever missed. We will continue to support our friends and colleagues at the club." – English Premier League. ------ "Porto are in mourning. It is with shock and deep sorrow that we send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. Rest in peace." – Porto statement, Diogo Jota spent a season there on loan (2016/17) and Andre was a youth player. ------ "Atletico de Madrid are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the passing of Diogo Jota, former player of the club, and his brother Andre."
France 24
a day ago
- Sport
- France 24
Reaction to Diogo Jota's death
AFP Sports picks out the main reaction to the death of the 28-year-old forward, who helped Liverpool win the Premier League title last season: "Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota." -- club statement "The news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honoured Portugal's name, and his brother is unexpected and tragic." -- Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro "We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and Andre Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything to honor their legacy daily." -- Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), Diogo Jota won 49 senior caps and won the Nations League title twice, most recently last month. "They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you!" -- Diogo Jota's former Wolves team-mate Ruben Neves on Instagram. "We are heartbroken. Diogo was adored by our fans, loved by his teammates and cherished by everyone who worked with him during his time at Wolves. The memories he created will never be forgotten. You will be truly missed, and always remembered." -- Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers where Diogo Jota played from 2017-2020. "Heartbreaking news. The whole house (of Commons) is heartbroken by this news and I wanted to send our sympathies to his friend and family on behalf of the whole house." -- British Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy. "Everyone at the Premier League is shocked and devastated to learn of the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre. Football has lost a champion who will be forever missed. We will continue to support our friends and colleagues at the club." -- English Premier League. "Porto are in mourning. It is with shock and deep sorrow that we send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. Rest in peace." -- Porto statement, Diogo Jota spent a season there on loan (2016/17) and Andre was a youth player.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Men's slalom at world championships - three things to watch
Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen's tilt at defending his men's slalom title at the World Ski Championships in Saalbach on Sunday depends on bagging a rare victory on Austrian snow. Kristoffersen, who last claimed a victory in Austria in Schladming in January 2020, has a chance of matching Marcel Hirscher as the only men to win back-to-back titles since Swedish legend Ingemar Stenmark -- who claimed three consecutive titles between 1978-82. AFP Sports looks at three things to watch: - Noel carries French burden - The French ski team, deprived of the injured experienced pair of Alexis Pinturault and Cyprien Sarrazin, have had a shocker of a world championships. Thibaut Favrot's sixth place in the men's GS is the best performance so far, with just two other top-10 finishes to show for their troubles. Hopes of a medal rest solidly on the shoulders of reigning Olympic champion Noel, second by three points to Kristoffersen in the World Cup slalom standings. "I put the weight on my shoulders on my own because I know I have a great chance of a medal and I want to go and grab it," said Noel. "Whether there are medals before or not, whether everything rests on me or not, it doesn't bother me. "Whatever happens, my season won't be spoiled but the most important thing is still there to go for," he said in reference to a world medal that has always eluded him, including a podium spot by three-hundredths at the last worlds in Courchevel/Meribel in 2023. - Angry Kristoffersen - The reigning world champion was angry with himself after the giant slalom on Friday. A big mistake on the second leg saw his chances of a podium spot disappear and he finished eighth, more than a second off Austrian Raphael Haaser's winning time. "I cannot say too much at the moment, what I want to say is not for TV," said the Norwegian. "I felt like I did ski well enough for a medal but apparently not, it is what it is. Conditions are nice." Kristoffersen will be accompanied by teammates Timon Haugan, fastest in the GS first leg before fading, and Atle Lie McGrath while Sebastian Foss-Solevaag was 2021 world champion. - Swiss hopes with Meillard - No Swiss skier has won world championship slalom gold for 75 years, since Georges Schneider took gold in 1950. But Loic Meillard is well-placed to end that drought given his great record in Saalbach, so far winning team combined gold and giant slalom bronze. He previously claimed a World Cup GS win and three second places (one in slalom, in 2018) in the Austrian resort. "It's just a slope that suits me well, where I can ski fast, and that's what I keep in mind," said Meillard. "I would say it helps to know that you can be fast on that slope. There are sometimes slopes where you're never fast. You don't really know why, but that's how it is. "And here it helps to know what to do and how, how much I can push to be faster." lp/nr
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Men's downhill at world championships - three things to watch
Switzerland's Marco Odermatt will have his eyes fixed on a speed double when he takes to the start hut for the men's downhill at the World Ski Championships in Saalbach on Sunday. Odermatt delivered a masterclass to claim victory in Friday's super-G and will aim to repeat Austrian Vincent Kriechmayr's double at the 2021 worlds in Cortina d'Ampezzo. AFP Sports looks at three things to watch: - King Odi, hunting double - Odermatt won the downhill and giant slalom titles in Courchevel/Meribel in 2023 and has established himself as leader of a strong Swiss team that also includes Alexis Monney, Stefan Rogentin and Franjo Von Allmen. Odermatt laid down what he himself called a perfect run to win the super-G in Saalbach. "It's the one gold medal that was missing and now to have this one also in my pocket is another dream come true," the 27-year-old said. "This means a lot. If I could wish for probably (anything) I would take this one as the first one. It's unbelievable to be a world champion in three different disciplines. "Two other races to come, so I'm just happy to be here, healthy and be in good shape." Odermatt's winning margin was the second biggest in world championships history, beaten only by the 1.54sec margin by which Austrian Stephan Eberharter sealed victory at the 1991 worlds, also at Saalbach. Downhillers, beware! Should Odermatt retain his form on the Schneekristall course, he might again go unrivalled. - Kriechmayr, bearing Austrian hopes - Kriechmayr, who was 2021 world champion in both the downhill and super-G, finished just five-hundredths off the podium in the super-G in Saalbach. The Austrian tweaked his right knee in the downhill in Wengen last month, raising fears from his home fans that he might miss the chmapionships. But the 33-year-old ran effective stress tests on the knee in training and should be in the running for a podium placing in the downhill. "My run was not good enough," was Kriechmayr's blunt assessment of the super-G. "All in all, not perfect timing through the course. It is what it is. "I'm sorry for the whole crowd, but it's good for our team to have Raphael Haaser in second place. "It's incredible what Odermatt showed. He's the best and the best one (in the race), so congratulations to him." Kriechmayr added he was happy his knee had withstood the rigours of the shorter speed event ahead of the downhill. "It's good to know for the downhill," he said. "The knee was perfect but we will see how it is on Sunday." - Tongue-lashed French - Fred Perrin, coach of the French men's team, didn't hold back after their performance in the super-G. While missing team leaders Cyrpien Sarrazin and Alexis Pinturault, both victims of season-ending crashes on the World Cup circuit, Florian Loriot was the highest-placed racer, in 13th. Nils Allegre finished 17th, while Matthieu Bailet and Nils Alphand both failed to finish the course. "The results are not good," blasted Perrin of the super-G. "The message was to take risks, to be playful and to try everything. They didn't know how to do it. "In terms of risk-taking, they didn't take any at all, we didn't know how to do it at all. They didn't look for speed, they weren't instinctive, they weren't themselves." To make matters worse, no French racer has made a speed podium this season, the best showing Allegre's fourth in December's Val Gardena downhill. Perrin said he was hoping for a "reaction" from his team in the downhill and leave the piste with "no regrets". lp/pi
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Men's super-G at world championships - three racers to watch
Switzerland's Marco Odermatt will head into the men's super-G on Friday aiming to replicate his world championship form from two years ago. Odermatt won the downhill and giant slalom titles in Courchevel/Meribel and has established himself as leader of a strong Swiss team. But competition will be rude in what could well be one of the closest races to call in the Austrian resort of Saalbach. AFP Sports looks at three racers to watch: - Crawford: defending champion - The Canadian shocked the field by winning in Courchevel in 2023. But the 27-year-old from Toronto has built on that success and touched down in Saalbach buoyed by a storming victory at the prestigious World Cup downhill in Kitzbuehel last month. That involved a night of partying and a day of recovery, James Crawford joked. "It wasn't like we were going crazier than anybody else. It's just one fun night!" Crawford believes the field is very open for the super-G, saying: "When any of the top guys have a chance at any venue, so long as the skiing is good and you make the right choices and analyse it properly day to day, it's anybody's game. "When it comes to each race, you have got to figure out how well you're skiing and what's realistic, and I think if I'm skiing my best, I definitely can compete for the top spot." - Odermatt: out for gold - Odermatt tops the super-G standings in the World Cup ahead of Austria's Vincent Kriechmayr. The Swiss racer, 27, has grown into his role as leader, something he said he had "been used to for a few years now". "I manage this pressure well and if I take some pressure off the other athletes with that, that's good, too." Indeed, Odermatt faces some stiff competition from within his own team, with the likes of Stefan Rogentin, Franjo von Allmen and Alexis Monney all in good form. "If you want to win as an athlete, you simply have to beat everyone who is on the starting line," was Odermatt's simple take on ski racing. "At the moment, it's almost my Swiss teammates," the reigning Olympic giant slalom champion said. "But it's better for the team, for the fans, if two or three Swiss can race for the win." Personal pressure, Odermatt added, had come in Courchevel where he'd arrived as a big favourite having misfired in the previous world champs in Cortina in 2021. "Now, here, I can really come very relaxed. I have two gold medals at home. It would be nice if there was another one, but if it doesn't happen, it's not the end of the world." - Kriechmayr: home hope, but outsider - Kriechmayr, who was 2021 world champion in both the downhill and super-G, sat out Thursday's second downhill training having taken part in the first one 24 hours earlier. The Austrian tweaked his right knee in the downhill in Wengen last month, raising fears from his home fans that he might miss the Saalbach worlds. But the 33-year-old called his opening training run, effectively a stress test for his knee, "very positive". "I didn't notice anything during the run. My goal was to push as hard as possible to test my knee. That worked out very well." Kriechmayr will be teamed up with Stefan Babinsky and Daniel Hemetsberger as Austria aim for a medalling start to a world championships on home snow. lp/pi
