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Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Diogo Jota's heartbreaking message in Liverpool interview filmed shortly before death
Liverpool will release a video including a heartbrekaing interview with Diogo Jota where he reflects on winning the Premier League title as 'a moment he will cherish forever'. The Portuguese star tragically died last month after claiming his one and only Premier League winner's medal. Tributes have poured in ever since as the Reds remember their forward. Jota was again remembered in Sunday's Charity Shield at Wembley and Liverpool's social media account confirmed they would be releasing an in-house documentary where their players cast their eye over their top flight triumph last season. Several players featured in the trailer before Jota featured with the club icon saying: "To arrive at this particular season with the title I've been chasing for a lot of years. It is a remarkable achievement. It's a moment I will cherish forever. It was outstanding." Throughout the trailer it shows some of the team's most important moments en route to them claiming the title in Arne Slot's first season. A large chunk also shows the unprecedented celebrations that took part at Anfield once the Premier League was secured. Goalkeeper Alisson spoke over a clip where players and staff were celebrating together and said: "I think this picture shows a lot about how we value every person at this club." It is after that that Jota appears on screen for the first time, sat in a chair as he's quizzed on the biggest moments of the season. The forward was signed by Jurgen Klopp in 2020, just after Liverpool's latest title success. He then had to wait five years to be part of their second triumph. Also included in the trailer was Dominik Szoboszlai, playing in his second season at Anfield, claiming: "A little kid's dream came true." Mohamed Salah said: "They know the love I have for them. It is a great moment." Liverpool have continued to pay tribute to Jota, announcing the retirement of the No 20 shirt that he had worn. They will play their first Premier League home game since his death when they begin the season on Friday against Bournemouth. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Cody Gakpo reveals Liverpool players' gesture to Diogo Jota family after his tragic death
Liverpool have still been trying to come to terms with Diogo Jota's tragic passing as a squad and Cody Gakpo has revealed how the team been trying to reach out to his family as much as possible Liverpool star Cody Gakpo has paid tribute to "outstanding" and "wonderful" former team-mate Diogo Jota after his tragic death aged just 28 last month as he revealed how Reds stars are still reaching out to his family. The club were left in mourning when it was revealed Jota had tragically died along with brother Andre following a car crash in Portugal, when his Lamborghini suffered a tire blowout while overtaking before leaving the road and bursting into flames. His passing stunned the football world as figures from across the sport made tributes. A majority of the Liverpool squad flew out to Portugal to attend his funeral and show their respect to his family, including wife Rute Cardoso and their three young children. Gakpo showed his respect towards Jota after performing his trademark celebration after scoring in a friendly against Preston, their first game back since the player's death. He has now opened up on team's struggles to come to terms with the news and the squad's desire to help his family. "It's been very difficult, for obvious reasons," Gakpo told the Liverpool Echo. "I think a lot of us were still on vacation when the situation happened and we came together as a team and as a club as soon as possible. "We tried to be there as much as we could at that moment for the family and together as a team to help wherever we could. We still try to do that and everyone is still busy a bit more behind the scenes than what is in the news, to reach out and help as much as possible. "The family of Diogo, hopefully, felt the love we have for them and for Diogo and his brother. But yeah, you could see how we try to act as a club and a team, the supporters as well, the whole city, every football fan, that we as Liverpool try to be a family." Liverpool have tried to do their part by retiring his No 20 shirt, commissioning a sculpture of Jota while the players have made a "Forever 20" emblem that they will wear on their Adidas shirts this season. And Gakpo said it was important to the team to remember his legacy as a human being - not just as a player - and how he touched all their lives. "I think [the emblem] is the least we can do," he added. "Obviously him, as a player, he was an outstanding player but him as a person was even more wonderful. Like he was such a great person with everyone, everyone loved him and that is also what you saw with how everyone reacted. "So yeah, I think it was more to remember who he was to us. Not as a player - because a player I think we can see the highlights on YouTube but more as the person he was. He will be missed this season but he will be missed by us, this club, this team and his family, for the rest of our lives." Liverpool have been trying to move on as a squad as they prepare to defend their Premier League title this season, with their opener coming up soon against Bournemouth at home on August 15. First, they face Athletic Bilbao in a friendly before a Community Shield against Palace and more tributes to Jota are expected. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool's show of solidarity as Diogo Jota honoured on emotional day
A friendly may never have meant so much. As Liverpool visited Preston for the first pre-season game of their summer, heads were elsewhere. This was the start of a Premier League title defence with over £200million of new signings expected to debut, but that all felt totally insignificant on a day when tributes were paid to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. Emotions are still raw but, with a club in mourning, Liverpool showed their solidarity as players and supporters remembered Jota as the team returned to action. This day meant a lot to Liverpool, that much was made clear by the walk to Deepdale. Flags bearing Jota's name and the lyrics to his song adorned pub windows, while many donned his No20 shirt. Merchandise vans were decorated with the No20. Some Preston supporters even made a point of wearing red. Liverpool fans packed the Bill Shankly stand to the rafters long before kick-off. Claudia Rose Maguire led the stadium in signing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' and supporters sang tirelessly throughout the match. They were in their fullest voice at full-time. After goals from Conor Bradley, Darwin Nunez, and Cody Gakpo wrapped up a 3-1 win, the full Liverpool camp faced the Bill Shankly stand and joined the away fans in song. Arne Slot has challenged his squad to channel their memories of their team-mate. 'We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go,' said Slot. To collectively process the loss of Jota will take time. But players, supporters and coaches are united as they attempt to come to terms with his death.
Irish Daily Mirror
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Arne Slot gives emotional first interview on Diogo Jota's death and tribute
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has delivered a heartfelt tribute to Diogo Jota whilst confirming the club will "always carry him with us" following the decision to permanently retire his No 20 jersey after his heartbreaking death at just 28. The striker died in a motor accident alongside his sibling Andre in Portugal last week, sparking an enormous wave of sorrow throughout the footballing community. Liverpool were left "devastated" by his passing and the decision to retire his shirt number represented "recognition of the profound personal impact he had on his teammates, colleagues and supporters and the everlasting connections he built with them". Slot said: "We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go. Maybe especially in difficult moments. "But in any moment we are here, we will carry him with us in our thoughts and in our hearts. To retire his shirt is the one thing we could, should and have done." The Dutchman went on to speak about the challenge of getting back to football amid the team's collective grief ahead of their friendly clash against Preston on Sunday. "Nothing seems to be important if we think of what has happened," he added. "It's very difficult to find the right words because we constantly debate what is appropriate. Can we train again? Can we laugh again? And I've said to them, maybe the best thing for us to do is handle this situation like Jota was. "And what I meant with that is that Jota was always himself, it didn't matter if he was talking to me, to his teammates, to the staff, he was always himself. So let us try to be ourselves as well." When asked what his overriding memory of Jota would be, Slot said: "I've only worked with him for a season and in that season he has been so important for me, for the club, for the fans, for his teammates in difficult moments. So, I can come up with the Everton goal, I can come up with some other goals – Fulham when we were down to 10. "I think what I take comfort in [is that] in the last month of his life he was a champion in everything. A champion for his family. A champion for his country because he won the Nations League. And of course a champion for us by winning the Premier League." Slot and much of the Liverpool first team were in attendance at Jota's funeral in Gondomar, Portugal, this week to support wife Rute Cardoso and his family as captain Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson were seen carrying wreaths shaped like football shirts, with his No 20 visible in the middle. It will be an emotional time for Liverpool players when they play their first pre-season friendly against Preston at Deepdale on Sunday afternoon and there will be a notable tribute towards Jota and Andre before kick-off. A rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone will be played, while a wreath will be played down and a minute's silence observed. Diogo and Andre's pictures will also be displayed on the big-screen TVs.
Scottish Sun
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘What is appropriate?' – Arne Slot opens up on coping with Diogo Jota tragedy and his advice to heartbroken Reds squad
The tragic Portuguese star has inspired his team-mates even after his death HEALING WISDOM 'What is appropriate?' – Arne Slot opens up on coping with Diogo Jota tragedy and his advice to heartbroken Reds squad Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ARNE SLOT admits nothing seems to be important at Liverpool following the death of striker Diogo Jota. The champions return to action at Preston this afternoon, still mourning the loss of their Portuguese international forward ten days ago. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Slot and Liverpool have been paying their respects to Jota, who tragically passed away Credit: PA 7 The news of the tragic passing of Jota and his brother Andre is yet to make sense to anyone Credit: Getty 7 Liverpool have decided to retire the number 20 at the club Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Jota, 28, and his brother Andre were killed in a car accident in Spain as they began their journey back to England for pre-season training. Slot has spoken for the first time since the devastating news and says the club has to find a way to move on and start focussing on football again. For now, he has told his players to be themselves as they come to terms with the sudden loss of their popular team-mate. The Anfield boss said: 'Nothing seems to be important if we think of what has happened. 'But we are a football club and we need to train and we need to play again, if we want it or not. 'What I've said to the players, I can say it here as well. It's very difficult to find the right words because we constantly debate what is appropriate. 'What is appropriate in our actions? What is appropriate for what we have to say? Can we train again? Can we laugh again? Can we be angry if there's a wrong decision? 'And I've said to them, maybe the best thing for us to do is handle this situation like Jota was. And what I meant with that is that Jota was always himself. Diogo Jota's classy act of humility left me and my U13s team stunned - he was a credit to his family and football 'It didn't matter if he was talking to me, to his teammates, to the staff, he was always himself. 'So let us try to be ourselves as well. So, if we want to laugh we laugh, if we want to cry we're going to cry. 'If they want to train they can train, if they don't want to train they can not train. But be yourself, don't think you have to be different than your emotions tell you.' Liverpool announced last week that they will retire Jota's No20 shirt in all their teams right across the club as a lasting tribute to him. Slot has welcomed the move, saying: 'We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go. 'Maybe especially in difficult moments but in any moment we are here, we will carry him with us in our thoughts and in our hearts. 'To retire his shirt is the one thing we could, should and have done.' Slot and his wife Mirjam were among the thousands who have visited Anfield to pay their respects to Jota over the past few days. And he said the fact the former Wolves forward had been through such an unforgettable few weeks gave him some solace in the dark days. He said: 'What I take comfort in is that in the last month of his life he was a champion in everything. 7 Jota's passing shook the world of football Credit: Alamy 7 Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United at Jota's funeral Credit: Getty 'A champion for his family, which is the main and most important thing, because he got married. 'A champion for his country because he won the Nations League, [with] a country that he cared about so much. 'And of course a champion for us by winning the Premier League.' The outpouring of emotion since Jota's death has only reinforced Slot's own bond with the club and supporters. He said: 'In the title parade, it was only the Liverpool fans I assume. Now this time it was the complete city, it wasn't only Liverpool, it was also the Everton fans. 'And not only this city but also all around the country and in the world. To represent this club in this city now even means more to me and to my wife than it did before.' 7 He passed away only ten days after his marriage Credit: Instagram
