Portuguese football left reeling by star’s tragic loss | OneFootball

São Paulo right-back Cédric Soares has paid tribute to his Portugal teammate Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident in Spain early on Thursday, according to Arquibancada Tricolor. The Liverpool and Portugal striker was 28.

Cédric turned to Instagram to express his grief, sharing a photograph of Jota in national team colors along with a heartfelt message: “Diogo, a teammate, a friend, a brother. Today the world is poorer. I am in shock. My sincere condolences to the whole family. We shared many moments together that I will always remember with a smile. Thank you for everything, brother.”

While the two players never lined up together at club level, their international careers frequently overlapped. Among their shared memories was a 2-2 draw between Portugal and Serbia in March 2021—Cédric’s last appearance for the national side—where Jota scored twice.

News of the forward’s sudden passing comes while he was enjoying a standout period, having recently helped Liverpool secure the Premier League title and lifting the Nations League trophy with Portugal. His brief spell at Porto in 2016/17 also saw him cross paths with former São Paulo players Inácio and Kelvin.

Cédric’s emotional farewell has resonated strongly among Portuguese football circles, underlining both Jota’s impact on the pitch and his reputation as a respected teammate. The São Paulo defender’s words mirror the wider sense of shock and loss felt across the football community.

(Source: Arquibancada Tricolor)

Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images