Liverpool manager Arne Slot has released a deeply emotional statement following the deaths of striker Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a car accident in Spain.
The tragedy occurred in Zamora province when their Lamborghini suffered a tyre blowout whilst overtaking another vehicle, causing it to leave the road and burst into flames.
The accident happened at approximately 00:30 local time on Thursday morning, according to the Guardia Civil.
Andre Silva, 25, was also a professional footballer who played for Portuguese second-tier side Penafiel.
Arne Slot has written a heartfelt statement after Diogo Jota's death
PA
The devastating news comes just 11 days after Jota married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children. Liverpool have said they are "devastated" by the loss of the Portuguese forward, who joined the club from Wolves in 2020 for £41 million.
In his statement, Slot expressed his profound shock and grief, saying: "What to say? What can anyone say at a time like this when the shock and the pain is so incredibly raw? I wish I had the words but I know I do not."
The Liverpool manager emphasised that his thoughts were first as "a father, a son, a brother and an uncle" rather than as a football manager. He assured the bereaved family: "My message to them is very clear you will never walk alone."
Slot described the club's reaction as one of "absolute" shock, stating: "Diogo was not just our player.
"He was a loved one to all of us. He was a teammate, a colleague, a workmate and in all of those roles he was very special."
The manager paid tribute to Jota's qualities both on and off the pitch, describing him as "the essence of what a Liverpool player should be" with his "hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, goals."
Beyond his footballing abilities, Slot highlighted Jota's character: "Not a friend to two people, a friend to everyone. Someone who made others feel good about themselves just by being with them."
Slot revealed their last conversation had been about Jota's Nations League triumph and upcoming wedding. "In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family, which makes it all the more heartbreaking that it should end like this," he said.
The manager also referenced the special song Liverpool supporters created for Jota, noting it demonstrated his "special qualities."
Diogo Jota leaves behind a wife, who he married just 11 days ago, and three children
Reuters
Slot extended his condolences to Jota's wife Rute, their three children, and the parents of both Diogo and Andre Silva. He pledged that the club would unite in support during this difficult time.
"We need everyone at the club to stand together and to be there for one another. We owe this to Diogo, to Andre Silva, to their wider family and to ourselves," Slot stated.
The manager concluded with a promise to honour Jota's memory: "When the time is right, we will celebrate Diogo Jota, we will remember his goals and we will sing his song. For the time being, we will remember him as a unique human being and mourn his loss."
He ended his statement with the simple but powerful words: "He will never be forgotten. His name is Diogo."
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Diogo Jota joined Liverpool in 2020 and helped them win the Premier League this season
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The timing of the accident makes it particularly devastating, occurring during what should have been a joyous period for the Jota family following his recent marriage and international success with Portugal.
As the football world mourns the loss of both brothers, Slot's promise that Jota "will never be forgotten" resonates deeply.
Liverpool and the wider football community now face the difficult task of processing this shocking loss whilst supporting those left behind.
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