Roberto Firmino issues emotional tribute to Diogo Jota after Liverpool star’s tragic death
Roberto Firmino has sent an emotional tribute to former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota following his tragic death at the age of 28.
Jota passed away in the early hours of Thursday, 3 July, in a car crash accident that also took the life of his brother, Andre Silva.
His death has seen an outpouring of emotion from the footballing world, with former Reds boss Jurgen Klopp leading the tributes to his beloved ex-player after the news was confirmed by Liverpool.
The 28-year-old initially started out playing in his native Portugal with Pacos de Ferreira, and spells with Atletico Madrid and Porto then took him to Wolves, whom he featured for on loan and as a permanent signing between 2017 and 2020.
Jota joined Liverpool in a £45million [BBC Sport] deal from the Molineux outfit in 2020, and grew into a hugely important player for the club in their last five successful years before his untimely passing.
Roberto Firmino posts emotional Instagram tribute to Jota
Firmino is a Liverpool hero for his exploits at the club, and he spent three years playing in attack alongside Jota before departing Anfield in 2023.
The 33-year-old, who now plays for Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, posted a heartfelt message in Portuguese in memoriam of his former Reds teammate on Thursday (3 July), which, when translated into English, reads: “When words fail, there are only inexpressible groans. And for that reason I get on my knees, praying that the Holy Spirit comforts the heart of Rute, Dinis, Duarte, Mafalda, Seu Joaquim, Lady Isabel and all the family and friends.
“It was a privilege and an honor to have known and lived such special moments alongside you. Rest in Peace to my brother Jota, and Andre.”
Firmino and Jota would no doubt have been close off the pitch due to their shared first language, and so the ex-Brazil international understandably chose to send an emotional message to his family after confirmed news of the accident.
Jota’s impact on Liverpool’s fortunes will never be forgotten
Many Liverpool supporters will still be in a state of shock at this tragic news that has rendered many other elements of the sport pointless at this very moment in time.
To lose a club hero and a great man like Jota is deeply upsetting, and members of his family have lost their husband, father, son and brother, with the 28-year-old’s own brother Andre Silva also passing in the accident, adding just another devastating element to the news.
He made 182 appearances in his five years at the club, scoring 62 goals and assisting 26 times, while winning the Premier League, FA Cup, Community Shield and EFL Cup twice.
His passing has brought fans of all clubs together, with a reminder that there is much more to life than football, and that every moment should be valued and not taken for granted.
What will happen next is unclear, regarding tributes from Liverpool and the wider footballing world, but Jota will forever be remembered as a Reds hero regardless, and his exploits at Anfield will never be forgotten.