Salah: Jota’s Death ‘Extremely Difficult to Accept’ as Liverpool Mourns

Salah: Jota’s Death ‘Extremely Difficult to Accept’ as Liverpool Mourns

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has admitted it will be “extremely difficult to accept” the tragic death of teammate Diogo Jota, following the Portuguese star’s fatal car crash in Spain.

Jota, 28, died alongside his brother Andre Silva, 25, after their car collided in Zamora during the early hours of Thursday morning.

Salah, devastated by the news, shared his emotions in a heartfelt tribute.

“Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me about going back to Liverpool after the break,” Salah said.

“Team-mates come and go, but not like this. It’s going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won’t be there when we go back.”

He continued:

“My thoughts are with his wife, his children, and of course his parents who suddenly lost their children. Those close to Diogo and his brother Andre need all the support they can get. They will never be forgotten.”

Liverpool Delay Pre-Season Return

Liverpool postponed the scheduled return of their players to pre-season training on Friday in light of the tragedy.

Instead, the squad will now return on Monday in a phased manner, with their first friendly set for 13 July against Preston North End.

Jota, who married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso just 11 days ago, was returning to Liverpool for pre-season. Doctors had advised him against flying following minor surgery, prompting him to travel by car and ferry.

Tributes Pour In for Jota and Silva

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who was close friends with Jota, described him as “one of my closest friends in football.”

“We bonded over all things sport, watching football, darts, snooker, horse racing. Some of my best memories are having a laugh watching them with you,” Kelleher wrote.

“It’s going to hurt for a long time and I’m going to miss you so much.”

A vigil for Jota and Silva was held at the Chapel of Resurrection in Gondomar on Friday, with locals, fans, and Portuguese football figures paying their respects.

The funeral service will take place on Saturday at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar.

At Jota’s former youth academy in Gondomar, fans laid shirts, scarves, and candles beneath a banner quoting the Liverpool star:

“It’s not about where we come from but where we’re going to.”

Wider Football World Pays Tribute

Fans also gathered outside Anfield and Wolves’ Molineux Stadium, where Jota played before joining Liverpool in 2020.

Everton players Beto and Youssef Chermiti, as well as former midfielder Ian Snodin, left wreaths at Anfield in solidarity.

Liverpool have opened a book of condolences at the Anfield Road Stand and an online version for supporters globally.

Key Facts About Diogo Jota:

• • Joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020, scoring 50 goals for the club.

  • Won the Premier League and Nations League with Portugal this year.

  • Married Rute Cardoso in June 2025 and leaves behind three young children.
  • 

    Fans have been laying tributes to Jota at Liverpool’s Anfield stadium

    

    Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson laid a tribute to Jota outside Anfield

    

    The football academy in Gondomar is named after Diogo Jota

    

    Tributes for Jota have also been laid at former club Wolves

Everton players Youssef Chermiti (left) and Beto (right), who are both Portuguese, and former Toffees midfielder Ian Snodin (centre) laid wreaths at Anfield

Nottingham Forest and Portugal midfielder Jota Silva (centre) laid a wreath outside the Chapel of Resurrection in Gondomar