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BBC News
13 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Hard day for us' - Portugal's tribute to Jota at Euro 2025
"Of course, if we had the possibility to change everything, we would change everything for sure. But this is a hard day for us."Portugal boss Francisco Neto joined in the tributes to Diogo Jota as thousands of fans also paid their respects during the team's Euro 2025 opener against forward Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, both died early on Thursday morning when the Lamborghini car they were travelling in crashed in the Spanish province of an emotional evening, a heartfelt rendition of Portugal's national anthem was followed by an impeccably observed minute's silence before kick-off, during which a black-and-white image of Jota was displayed on the big stadium screens in Bern."It was a really tough day to play football, because this life is much more than a game, much more than football," said Portugal forward Jessica Silva."Of course everyone is sad. It's heavy, my heart is heavy - much more important things than playing a game."Portugal fans held up placards with messages paying tribute to the player who is also being mourned in Liverpool, while both sets of players wore black having relentless support from their fans throughout the 90 minutes, Portugal fell to a 5-0 defeat in Bern as world champions and tournament favourites Spain began their pursuit for a first European in his post-match news conference, coach Neto, who appeared to hold back tears during the minute's silence, described Jota as a devoted supporter of the women's side."Diogo followed our team because he loved the county," said Neto, who explained he first met Jota while coaching at under-19 level."Diogo always, when I talked to him, always knew the result. He followed the team, some players and this is the culture we have in Portugal."Today is a really, really sad day because two of us lost our lives. So young. It is not a good day." 'Thank you for everything, Diogo' Before the game, Portugal winger Silva posted a tribute on social media, saying: "Diogo wasn't just a great player. He was one of the good ones – loyal, thoughtful, humble."Football is poorer without him, and so are we."After the game, she added: "I knew Diogo and he was a really kind person - much more than a player, much more than a star, he was a guy always paying attention, always ready to give a word for the team and well, it's sad."After the final whistle, the Portugal players lined up together to hold a banner to mark Joto's death. Its message - "Thank you for everything Diogo Jota, rest in peace" - was reflected by the sombre feeling in the made his senior debut for Portugal in 2019 and went on to score 14 goals in 49 internationals, being a member of two squads that won Nations League titles - the second of those victories came only last month."As a person he was very humble, very kind and he liked us and was always watching us and rooting for us. He meant a lot to us and it's very sad," Portugal forward Diana Silva added."He's one of us, so I think the team is feeling the moment quite a bit." 'I couldn't stop crying' News of the tragic deaths overshadowed the build-up to Portugal's tournament trying to soak up the atmosphere in Bern's fan zone, Portugal supporters struggled to process the fan Melanie, who had tickets for the game, fought back tears as she said: "I can't explain it, but as soon as I heard it I started crying."He's one of us of course, but the question is he was so young, he had three kids, he just got married."I'm so sorry. You just start thinking, you really have to enjoy your life because in three seconds, everything can end."Jota recently married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children. He posted pictures on social media of the ceremony, which took place on 22 a Portugal fan who shared his name with the player, said the news "hurts a lot", adding: "He was really important, he was the new generation, the golden generation of Portugal. We will miss him."
The Independent
13 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
‘One of our own': How grieving Portugal remembered ‘eternal' Diogo Jota at Euro 2025
From the darkness, Portugal were faced with an impossible task: to bring some light into the world after the heartbreaking tragedy of losing one of their own. The death of Diogo Jota, killed in a car crash with his brother Andre Silva in the early hours of Thursday morning, had shaken the Portugal team when they woke up on the morning of their opening match of Euro 2025 against Spain. Afterwards, a 5-0 defeat to the world champions barely scratches the surface in the face of such a loss. 'Today is a sad day,' the Portugal head coach Francisco Neto said. 'To lose two lives, so young, of course it is hard. We are thinking of the family.' For Neto, and for many players in the Portugal team, this felt personal too. Neto had previously worked with Jota when in charge of Portugal's Under-19s, and they had stayed in touch as he went on to make 49 appearances for Portugal's senior team and star in the Premier League for Liverpool. In turn, Jota followed their results and kept track of the progress of the Navegadoras. 'Diogo, when we talked, he always knew the results,' Neto remembered with a smile. Jota's support of the women's team was a matter of pride for him. 'This is the culture we have in Portugal, the culture we are building,' he said. In the hours before kick-off against Spain, almost every Portugal player posted a broken heart emoji or message on Instagram. In forward Jessica Silva's tribute to Jota, she called him 'one of our own'. At the end of their 5-0 defeat, some of Portugal's players went into their stands behind the far goal and emerged with a banner. 'Thank you for everything Diogo Jota,' it read. There is a chance that only a few of Portugal's players had crossed paths with Jota, but it was clear the warmth and humility that has been spoken about by his team-mates and coaches shone through to them as well. "Diogo wasn't just a star,' Silva continued. 'It was the good, the faithful, the attentive, the simple ... of those who don't need noise to mark their presence! Football has gone poorer ... and so are we. You will never be forgotten." The shock of Jota's death reinforces the idea that life, like a match, a major tournament and a football career, can be fragile and fleeting. And the moments where life can feel all the more precious, where you want to hold the most important people a little closer, those are the times that can also put football into some perspective, while bringing others together. The story of an emotional night in Bern was in one part the sense of grief and mourning, but there was also the irrepressible noise of the Portugal fans and the manner in which they bounced and sang, as if determined to embrace what they had. It began in poignant silence to remember the brothers, broken only by a beautifully solemn ripple of applause that worked its way around the whole stadium. The Portugal fans in green and red then chanted Jota's name, with a strip of supporters holding up letters spelling out "Rest in peace, Diogo Jota". Another read: 'You took the name of Portugal beyond borders, now it's our turn to raise your name.' One simply stated: 'Eternal Diogo Jota'. It took less than two minutes for Spain to score, as Esther Gonzalez controlled a long pass with her shoulder and flicked her finish into the net to set the tone for a dominant night. Portugal were second best to Spain throughout, just as, one may suspect, many teams at Euro 2025 will be. The world champions put on an impressive, professional opening performance, lit up by Alexia Putellas. Injured on the eve of the Euros three years ago, Putellas is playing as if she is desperate to make up for lost time. She scored Spain's third and was named player of the match, with Gonzalez scoring twice, the 18-year-old Vicky Lopez adding one and Cristina Martin-Prieto finding the fifth in stoppage time. They played at a level that Portugal could not match. 'We were not able to put pressure on Spain,' Neto admitted. 'We know this was a very strong team.' But they were not dealing with what Portugal faced. And still, even as Portugal trailed in the 88th minute and with hope long gone, their supporters held up scarves and defiantly sang the national anthem. If it looked a little bit like a rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone', there was a significance there as well: that, after all, was the message Portugal wanted to send.
The Independent
20 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Spain v Portugal live: Euro 2025 latest score and updates as tributes paid to Diogo Jota
Portugal play Spain in their opening match of Euro 2025, in what will be a highly emotional occasion for the Portuguese team following the death of men's international and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota. Jota was killed in a car crash with his brother Andre Silva in the early hours of Thursday morning, with the football world and beyond in mourning. Uefa has confirmed that there will be a moment's silence before all Euro 2025 matches on Thursday and Friday, while Portugal's players will wear black armbands. Portugal begin their tournament against world champions Spain, who are the favourites to win their first European title this month. Spain's build-up has been dominated by the availability of Ballon d'Or holder Aitana Bonmati, who was in hospital before the tournament with viral meningitis. Elsewhere in Group B, Italy play Belgium with both teams looking to get off the mark with an opening victory. The hosts Switzerland were beaten by Norway in their first match last night, while England have to wait until Saturday for their opening game against France in Zurich. Follow all the latest from Euro 2025 below Portugal's Jessica Silva pays heartfelt tribute to Diogo Jota Portugal players were shocked and heartbroken to learn of the death of Diogo Jota on Thursday ahead of their opening match of Euro 2025 against Spain tonight. "One of our own," Portugal forward Jessica Silva posted on Instagram. "Diogo wasn't just a star. It was the good, the faithful, the attentive, the simple ... of those who don't need noise to mark their presence! "Football has gone poorer ... and so are we. You will never be forgotten." Hours before kick-off, virtually every player on the Portugal women's squad had posted photos of Jota on social media, many with broken heart emojis. Jamie Braidwood3 July 2025 17:43 England's Lucy Bronze says Lionesses are standing with Portugal after Diogo Jota's death England defender Lucy Bronze said the Lionesses would lend their full support to the Portuguese team at Euro 2025 after they were 'shocked' by the death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota. Portugal play World Cup champions Spain in their tournament opener on Thursday night in Bern, where a minute's silence will be observed in honour of the Portugal international and 28-year-old father of three, who was killed in a car crash alongside his brother in Spain. Bronze, who was born in Berwick-Upon-Tweed to a Portuguese father and an English mother, said the Lionesses were stunned when word travelled through the camp in Zurich, where they are preparing to open their title defence against France on Saturday. Lucy Bronze says Lionesses are standing with Portugal after Diogo Jota's death Portugal play World Cup champions Spain in their tournament opener on Thursday night in Bern Jamie Braidwood3 July 2025 17:37 Euro 2025: Tributes paid to Diogo Jota There was a moment's silence for Diogo Jota and Andre Silva before today's earlier game between Belgium and Italy in Sion. Jamie Braidwood3 July 2025 17:37 Good evening Portugal play Spain in their opening match of Euro 2025, in what will be a highly emotional occasion for the Portuguese team following the death of men's international and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota. Jota was killed in a car crash with his brother Andre Silva in the early hours of Thursday morning, with the football world and beyond in mourning. Uefa has confirmed that there will be a moment's silence before all Euro 2025 matches on Thursday and Friday, while Portugal's players will wear black armbands. Portugal begin their tournament against world champions Spain, who are the favourites to win their first European title this month. Spain's build-up has been dominated by the availability of Ballon d'Or holder Aitana Bonmati, who was in hospital before the tournament with viral meningitis. Jamie Braidwood3 July 2025 17:34
CNA
20 hours ago
- Sport
- CNA
Tributes pour in for Jota as players at Women's Euros mourn Portugal forward
BERN, Switzerland :Portugal players were heartbroken ahead of their Women's Euro 2025 game against Spain on Thursday where a minute's silence will be observed following the death of Portuguese national men's team striker Diogo Jota in a car accident. "One of our own," Portugal forward Jessica Silva posted on Instagram. "Diogo wasn't just a star. It was the good, the faithful, the attentive, the simple ... of those who don't need noise to mark their presence! "Football has gone poorer ... and so are we. You will never be forgotten." UEFA announced that a moment of silence will be observed at all of Thursday and Friday's Euro matches "in memory of Portugal international and Liverpool FC forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva who tragically passed away today," European soccer's governing body said on Thursday. England defender Lucy Bronze said she and her teammates were shocked when they woke up in Zurich to the news. "Obviously, we've got a lot of Liverpool fans in our team, but just football fans and people in general," Bronze said at England's base camp. "It's so sad to hear, both him and his brother, and so young as well, everyone was just thinking of them this morning. "Seeing all the messages on social media, you see what a great guy he seemed to have been as well. So just really sad and really shocked by the news." HEART EMOJIS Hours before kick-off, virtually every player on the Portugal women's squad had posted photos of Jota on social media, many with broken heart emojis. Veteran defender Ana Borges, who is the most capped player in the women's national team's history, wrote "Descansem em paz" - rest in peace - under a photo of both brothers. FPF President Pedro Proenca gave a brief statement in Bern saying 28-year-old Jota was "Much more than a fantastic player. "With almost 50 appearances for the National A Team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all his teammates and opponents, someone with a contagious joy and a reference in his own community," Proenca said. Portugal and Spain are set to meet in Bern at 2100 CET (1900 GMT) in their first Group B game. "We'll be watching the games tonight, and in England too I think everyone at the tournament will be supporting the Portuguese team, because I know they'll be a lot closer to this than we are," Bronze said. "It's just a real sad moment for everybody involved in football. What an amazing year he's had as well, not just for Liverpool, but obviously he's got married a couple of weeks ago, got little kids, it's just so sad."
Al Arabiya
a day ago
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Jota death to be marked by minute's silence at Portugal Women's Euro 2025 game
Portugal players were heartbroken ahead of their Women's Euro 2025 game against Spain on Thursday where a minute's silence will be observed following the death of Portuguese national men's team striker Diogo Jota in a car accident. 'One of our own,' Portugal forward Jessica Silva posted on Instagram. 'Diogo wasn't just a star. It was the good, the faithful, the attentive, the simple ... of those who don't need noise to mark their presence! 'Football has gone poorer ... and so are we. You will never be forgotten.' For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app. UEFA announced that a moment of silence will be observed at all of Thursday and Friday's Women's Euro 2025 matches 'in memory of Portugal international and Liverpool FC forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva who tragically passed away today,' European soccer's governing body said on Thursday. The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) said in a statement on Thursday that it had requested a minute's silence before the game against Spain. Hours before kick-off, virtually every player on the Portugal women's squad had posted photos of Jota on social media, many with broken heart emojis. Veteran defender Ana Borges, who is the most capped player in the women's national team's history, wrote 'Descansem em paz' -- rest in peace -- under a photo of both brothers. Pedro Proenca, President of the FPF, gave a brief statement in Bern saying that 28-year-old Jota was 'Much more than a fantastic player. 'With almost 50 appearances for the National A Team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all his teammates and opponents, someone with a contagious joy and a reference in his own community,' Proenca said. Portugal and Spain are set to meet in Bern at 2100 CET (1900 GMT) in their first Group B game. England sent their condolences and support to the Portuguese team in a post on X. 'We are devastated at the tragic loss of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva,' England's women's team wrote. 'It is truly difficult to comprehend. 'We stand beside the Portuguese team here in Switzerland and the whole football family in honouring Diogo and Andre's memory.'
