The loss of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva “doesn’t make any sense”, says Cristiano Ronaldo, who is among those to have paid tribute to the pair after their deaths in a car accident on Thursday.
Ronaldo and Jota were teammates for the Portugal national team.
“Doesn’t make any sense. Just now we were together in the national team, just now you were married,” Ronaldo, who captains his country, wrote on Instagram.
“To your family, to your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. R.I.P. Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.”
Liverpool forward Jota and Silva, who was also a professional footballer, were killed in the early hours of Thursday morning when their car came off the road in the province of Zamora, in north west Spain.
Tributes from across the football world are pouring in for both.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who signed him from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020, said he was “heartbroken” by the news.
“This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can’t see it,” he said on Instagram. “I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Diogo and his brother Andre.
“Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father! We will miss you so much! All my prayers, thoughts and power to Rute, the kids, the family, the friends and everyone who loved them! Rest in peace — Love.”
Jota’s Liverpool teammate Darwin Nunez wrote on Instagram: “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 player Stefan Bajcetic posted a picture of him training with Jota on Instagram and wrote simply: “You will be remembered my friend.”
Former Liverpool player and manager Kenny Dalglish said: “Football is not important at this sad time. You feel helpless, knowing there’s so little we can do to ease the pain for his wife of just two weeks, his three beautiful children.”
Liverpool said they were “devastated” by the “unimaginable loss” of their forward, while heartfelt tributes were also paid by Jota’s former clubs, Wolves, Porto, Atletico Madrid, Pacos de Ferreira and Gondomar.
Pacos, where the brothers both spent time as youth players, described them as “two extraordinary people who stood out for their humility, responsibility and immense dedication to the club”.
Pacos’ statement continued: “Diogo Jota has become a reference for this club. An athlete with a champion’s attitude who has reached the highest levels of professional football.
“Since his arrival, he has been an example for the many athletes we welcome into our training camp every year and who dream of one day winning on the world’s biggest stages.”
Silva also played for Gondomar and Porto as a youth player, and was a forward for Portuguese second division side Penafiel, from the Porto District.
In a statement, Penafiel said: “The loss of two young lives linked to the world of football fills us with pain and consternation.
“At this difficult time, Futebol Clube Penafiel extends its most sincere condolences to the family, friends and all those who shared moments of life and passion for sport with André and Diogo.”
The Portuguese Football Federation said their deaths “represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football”, and added: “We will do everything we can to honour their legacy on a daily basis.”
Jota won the Premier League title with Liverpool this past season (Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he was “deeply saddened” by the news, saying Jota had a “fantastic career” while Silva was “thriving” at Penafiel.
“They will both be so sorely missed by all those who knew them and by the worldwide football community.”
Ruben Neves, Jota’s former teammate for Wolves and Portugal, was among the first professional players to react to the news, posting on Instagram: “They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you!”
Jota helped Liverpool to last season’s Premier League title and also won the FA Cup and League Cup in five seasons at Anfield.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice wrote on X: “So, so sad. Heartbreaking! RIP to Diogo and his brother Andre. Sending love and condolences to his family.”
Mikel Merino, also of Arsenal, wrote: “Rest in peace Diogo and Andre. All the strength for the family and friends.”
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said: “Devastating news about Diogo Jota & his brother Andre this morning. Thoughts are with everyone of their family & friends, especially his wife Rute & their three lovely kids.”
Steven Gerrard, also formerly of Liverpool, wrote on X: “RIP Diogo. Condolences to his family during this incredibly sad time.”
As the football world came together in mourning, there were tributes from the Premier League, the Professional Footballers’ Association, the Football Association and clubs from across the English top flight and Europe.
Liverpool’s Merseyside neighbours Everton said they were “deeply saddened” by the news, while a statement from Manchester United read: “Our deepest condolences are with the loved ones of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre, and everyone connected with Liverpool FC following today’s heartbreaking news.”
Jota was recently married to Rute Cardoso in his home city of Porto, in northern Portugal, around 300km to the west of Zamora. The couple have three children.
Outside of football, tennis legend Rafael Nadal and the NBA’s LeBron James were among the sporting stars to send their condolences to the pair’s family and friends.
UEFA, the European governing body, announced a moment’s silence would be observed at all Women’s European Championship matches on Thursday and Friday.
There were also tributes from the world of politics.
British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Let me start with Jota because this is devastating news. I am sure I speak for everyone in saying our first thoughts are going to be with his family and his friends in particular.
“There are millions of Liverpool fans but also football fans and non-fans who will also be shocked by this.
“It is devastating and really important we bear in mind just how difficult a period this will be for his friends and for his family.”
Luis Montenegro, Portuguese prime minister, said: “I leave the family my deepest condolences. It’s a sad day for football and for national and international sport.”
(Top photo of Jota and Klopp: Laurence Griffiths/POOL/AFP via Getty Images))