Tributes have poured in from around the world as Liverpool fans come to terms with the death of star striker Diogo José Teixeira da Silva, known simply as Diogo Jota.
The Portuguese international and his younger brother, Andre Silva, died in a car accident in the Spanish province of Zamora on Thursday.
They say that grown men don’t cry, but that has been far from the case as Liverpool and Portuguese supporters shed tears for one of their favourite sons. Many remember Jota – nicknamed the ‘Slotter’ or ‘Diogoal’ – not just for his goals, but for the perpetual smile on his face, even when he was hacked down by defenders.
Such was his impact that the Kop quickly sang about his exploits:
“Oh, he wears the number 20,
He will take us to victory,
And when he’s running down the left wing,
He’ll cut inside and score for LFC.
He’s a lad from Portugal,
Better than Figo, don’t you know,
Oh, his name is Diogo!”
His Liverpool teammate Andy Robertson described Jota as “the most British foreign player I’ve ever met.”
The Scotland captain, who attended Jota’s wedding, said: “The last time I saw him was the happiest day of his life – his wedding day. I want to remember that never-ceasing smile from that magical day, how much he was bursting with love for his wife and family.”
Club captain Virgil van Dijk promised the players and the club would never forget Jota or his family.
“So cruel and unfair. My heart is breaking for all of your beautiful family – for Rute and your kids,” said van Dijk.
“I promise you that in these difficult times and beyond, we will always be there for your family. A champion forever, No. 20 forever.”
His words followed those of Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who said his first thoughts were not as a manager but as a father, son, brother and uncle.
“They belong to the family of Diogo and Andre Silva, who have suffered such an unimaginable loss,” said Slot.
“My message to them is very clear – you will never walk alone. The players, the staff, and the supporters of Liverpool Football Club are all with you, and from what I have seen today, the same can be said of the wider football family.”
Liverpool is expected to honour Jota by retiring his No. 20 jersey – a move fans began calling for as soon as the news of his death emerged.
A club statement read: “The No. 20 will be rightly immortalised for his contributions as part of Liverpool’s 2024-2025 title-winning side – the club’s 20th – with his trademark shimmy and strike in front of the Kop to seal victory in April’s Merseyside derby, the poignant final goal of his life.”
Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020. He went on to play 123 matches for the Reds, scoring 47 goals. His last goal for the club was the winner against Everton on April 3. He also earned 49 caps for Portugal, scoring 14 goals.
With Wolves, Jota won the Championship title in 2018. With Liverpool, he lifted the Premier League trophy (2025), the FA Cup (2022), and the League Cup in 2022 and 2024. He also won two UEFA Nations League titles with Portugal – in 2019 and 2025.
Speeding or burst tyre?
Investigators are still gathering evidence to determine whether speeding or a burst tyre caused the Liverpool star’s Lamborghini to career off the motorway before bursting into flames.
Authorities say it could take several days to release a preliminary report on the crash.
BBC Sport reported that Jota was driving from Porto to Santander in northern Spain, where he planned to catch a ferry back to Liverpool for pre-season training, which begins on Monday.
After suffering an injury towards the end of last season, Jota developed respiratory issues. Doctors discovered he had injured his right lung, but he continued to play.
The season ended successfully, with Jota winning the English Premier League with Liverpool and the UEFA Nations League with Portugal. Following that match, he underwent minor surgery and was advised not to fly.
BBC Sport also reported that he had travelled by road and sea to reach Porto for his wedding to his long-term partner, Rute, on June 22.
