‘Forever number 20’- Liverpool tributes to Diogo Jota continue | OneFootball

Liverpool’s players having continued paying tribute to Diogo Jota after his tragic death at the age of 28.

The Portuguese international was killed in a car crash along with his brother Andre Silva in Spain.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said: “Man, I can’t believe it, I don’t wanna believe it. Absolutely devastated and in total disbelief.

“What a human being, what a player, but most importantly what an unbelievable family man.

“You meant so much to all of us and you always will! For your family to lose two sons, a husband and a father is just unimaginable. So cruel and unfair. My heart is breaking for all of your beautiful family, for Rute and for your kids. I promise you that in these difficult times and beyond we will always be there for your family.

“A champion forever, number 20 forever. It’s been a privilege to have stood by your side on the pitch, and to have been your friend off it.

“We will miss you beyond words and never forget you. Your legacy will live on, we will make sure of it!

“Rest in perfect peace Diogo & André.”

The Reds’ manager Arne Slot described Jota as a “friend to everyone”. Former boss Jurgen Klopp says he is “heartbroken”, whilst international teammate Cristiano Ronaldo says “it doesn’t make sense”.

Former Liverpool teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold said: “It’s so difficult to find the right words when your head and heart are struggling to accept that someone you care so much about has gone.

“Diogo, your family was your world. They were everything. For Rute, his children, and his parents, all of our hearts are broken. And for Andre as well. Brothers and best friends.

“When it’s less painful, I want to remember Diogo with a big smile. So many laughs and happy moments. He was such a great teammate and a true friend.

“Forever number 20. Rest in peace, Diogo.”

Liverpool have since announced that Jota’s number 20 shirt will be ‘rightly immortalised’ by the club.

Teammate Andy Robertson said: “The ones I’m thinking about most right now are the family. Their loss is too much to bear. I’m so sorry that they have lost two such precious souls – Diogo and Andre.

“For the team and the Club, we’ll try to cope with this together… however long that takes.

“For me, I want to talk about my mate. My buddy. The bloke I loved and will miss like crazy.

“I could talk about him as a player for hours, but none of that feels like it matters right now.

“It’s the man. The person. He was such a good guy. The best. So genuine. Just normal and real.

“Full of love for the people he cared about. Full of fun.

“The last time I saw him was the happiest day of his life – his wedding day. I want to remember his never-ceasing smile from that magical day. How much he was bursting with love for his wife and family.

“I can’t believe we’re saying goodbye. It’s too soon, and it hurts so much.

“But thank you for being in my life, mate – and for making it better.

“Love you, Diogo.”