This Saturday, July 5, 2025, the world of football remains in deep mourning following the tragic death of Diogo Jota, the talented Liverpool striker and star of the Portuguese national team, which occurred last Thursday in a traffic accident in the province of Zamora, Spain. His brother André Silva, also a footballer, also lost his life in an accident that has left the global football community in a state of shock. Amid this collective grief, Arne Slot, Liverpool’s Dutch manager, has finally broken his silence with a message filled with emotion and respect, offering a moving tribute to the player who defined an era at Anfield.
The accident, which occurred around midnight on July 3 on the A-52 motorway, involved the Lamborghini in which the brothers were traveling. According to initial reports from the Civil Guard, the vehicle suffered a tire burst during overtaking, causing it to leave the road, catch fire, and be completely destroyed. Diogo, 28, and André, 26, did not survive the flames, and their bodies were identified thanks to personal belongings following a forensic analysis that included DNA samples. The news hit Liverpool fans like a thunderbolt, who have since flooded the area surrounding Anfield with flowers, scarves, and messages of farewell.
Arne Slot, who took over as Reds manager in mid-2024 following Jürgen Klopp’s departure, shared his feelings through an official club statement, published on social media and the Liverpool website. In his message, the manager made it clear that his grief transcends the professional sphere. “My first thoughts are not those of a football manager. They are those of a father, a son, a brother, and an uncle, and they go out to the family of Diogo and André Silva, who have experienced an unimaginable loss,” said Slot, echoing the “You’ll Never Walk Alone” motto that unites the Liverpool family in times of adversity. These words resonated deeply with fans, who found in them a reflection of their own sense of loss.
Slot highlighted not only Jota’s footballing quality, but also his human warmth, an aspect that, he said, wasn’t always visible to the public. “Diogo was hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, goals. The essence of what a Liverpool player should be,” he stated, recalling the Portuguese player’s 65 goals and three titles won with the club, including the Premier League in the 2024-2025 season. However, the manager went further, describing Jota as “a person who never sought popularity, but found it anyway. He wasn’t friends with just two people, he was friends with everyone.” This description paints a portrait of a man who was loved both on and off the pitch, a teammate who left a positive mark on those around him.
The coach also referenced his last interaction with Jota, a moment that adds an even more heartbreaking touch to the tragedy. “The last time we spoke, I congratulated Diogo on winning the Nations League and wished him luck with his upcoming wedding,” Slot revealed. That summer, which seemed like a dream for Jota following his triumph with Portugal and his recent marriage to Rute Cardoso on June 22, was abruptly cut short, leaving his wife and three children—Denis, Duarte, and a daughter due in 2024—in inconsolable grief. Slot acknowledged this cruel irony, stating that “in many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family, which makes it even more heartbreaking that it ended like this.”
Slot’s message also included a commitment to Jota’s memory. “When the time comes, we will celebrate Diogo Jota, we will remember his goals, and we will sing his song,” he promised, referring to the chant Liverpool fans created for him, a sign of his special connection with the crowd. For now, however, the focus is on mourning and supporting the family. “For now, we will remember him as a unique human being and mourn his loss. He will never be forgotten,” he concluded, leaving the door open to a future tribute honoring his legacy.
Slot’s reaction has been met with tears and admiration from fans, who have flooded social media with messages of support for the family and the club. Other clubs, such as Wolverhampton Wanderers, where Jota starred before joining Liverpool, and the Portuguese Football Federation, have also expressed their grief, while figures such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Jürgen Klopp have shared their own tributes. This Saturday, Diogo and André’s funeral will be held at the Mother Church in Gondomar, their hometown, where a large attendance of friends, teammates, and fans is expected.
Diogo Jota’s death not only leaves a void at Liverpool, but also sparks a debate about the fragility of life and the importance of caring for athletes’ mental health. As the football world prepares to bid him farewell, Arne Slot’s words serve as a bridge between grief and hope, ensuring that Jota’s name will live forever in the heart of Anfield.
