Darwin Nunez stated he would at all times bear in mind Diogo Jota’s smile as he paid tribute to his Liverpool team-mate following his death in a car crash on the age of 28.
Jota and his brother Andre Silva had been killed when their automotive got here off the A-52 motorway within the province of Zamora in north-western Spain. Regardless of emergency crews attending the scene, the pair had been declared lifeless.
Tributes have poured in for Jota and Silva, an attacking midfielder for Portuguese second-tier facet Penafiel, whereas Liverpool followers gathered at Anfield to pay their respects.
Nunez joined Liverpool in June 2022, slightly below two years after Jota, they usually every claimed Premier League glory with the Reds this previous season.
Jota had not too long ago married Rute Cardoso and leaves behind three kids.
In a publish on Instagram, Nunez despatched a heartfelt message to Jota’s younger household.
He wrote: “There aren’t any phrases to consolation you for a lot ache. I’ll at all times bear in mind you together with your smile, as teammate on and off the sphere.
“I ship all my energy to your loved ones, from the place I’m certain he’ll at all times be with you, particularly your spouse and three kids. RIP Diogo and Andre.”
Santos remembers Jota’s big ardour
Former Portugal coach Fernando Santos spoke to A Bola relating to his recollections of Jota, to whom he gave his debut for the nationwide group.
“At this level it’s even exhausting to speak in regards to the footballer, as a result of that’s not an important factor,” Azerbaijan coach Santos stated.
“He debuted with me on the age of twenty-two. He was overshadowed by the very best participant on this planet [Cristiano Ronaldo], however he at all times discovered his house.
“He had an enormous ardour for the nationwide group. He couldn’t go to the World Cup in Qatar as a result of he was injured, however he made some extent of becoming a member of us.
“He was with the group through the coaching camp and got here to our matches. That was his personal initiative.
“I visited him in Liverpool when he was injured. It was a sophisticated second for him, however I actually loved this dialog. Now I can solely take into consideration his household, his spouse and the three kids he leaves.”
Nuno Campos decreased to tears
Nuno Campos was one in all Jota’s first coaches when he made the grade as an expert with Pacos de Ferreira.
Jota broke by means of in 2014, when Campos was working as an assistant at Pacos.
Now the top coach at Hungarian facet Zalaegerszeg, Campos was left extraordinarily emotional upon studying of the tragic information.
“I acquired the information this morning, once I was preparing for coaching, and I used to be in shock. I couldn’t maintain again the tears,” Campos instructed Sportinforma.
“They [his players] requested what was happening, they had been dismayed. This loss shakes us all, however me much more, as a result of I had a really shut relationship with Diogo.”
Remembering Jota’s ascension to the Pacos first group, Campos added: “He arrived from juniors and shortly imposed himself for his humility, professionalism and willpower. He was a participant who conquered everybody, not just for his expertise, but additionally for the love and respect he confirmed for everybody.
“I bear in mind his smile, his intelligence on the sphere and his tireless dedication to succeed in the highest. Like Cristiano Ronaldo, Diogo Jota received the place he received by means of loads of work and energy.”
“It’s a gorgeous household, and this loss is inconceivable to just accept. It hurts rather a lot to speak about this. I need to categorical my deepest sympathies to the entire household.”
