Liverpool striker Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva died in a car crash early Thursday morning.
Andy Robertson paid tribute to Diogo Jota in a heartfelt message that wonderfully defined the late Liverpool star’s popular personality.
Jota and his brother Andre Silva killed in a car accident near Zamora, northwestern Spain, in the early hours of Thursday morning while driving to Santander.
The car experienced a tyre burst while overtaking and soon caught fire, with emergency services declaring the two brothers dead on the scene.
Jota had only lately married his longtime companion, Rute Cardoso, and the pair had three small children together.
The 28-year-old’s terrible demise elicited several tributes from the football world, including Cristiano Ronaldo and his former Liverpool managers Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot, who were devastated by the news.
Trent Alexander-Arnold struggled to find words as he mourned his comrade, whom he described as “such a great teammate and a true friend”.
Andy Robertson was also startled to hear the devastating news, and he began his tribute by remembering Jota’s family during this difficult time.
He then shared lovely recollections of his five years with Jota, emphasizing on who he was as a person rather than a player and dubbing him the “most British foreign player” he had ever met, as he called the former Wolves midfielder “Diogo MacJota”.
Robertson also posted a photo and memories from Jota’s wedding day, which was “the happiest day” of the forward’s life and the last time he saw him.
“The ones I’m thinking about the most right now are my family,” Robertson posted on Instagram.
“Their loss is too great to endure. I’m very sorry they’ve lost Diogo and Andre, two such lovely individuals.
“For the team and the Club, we’ll strive to cope with this together, no matter how long it takes.
“I’d want to chat about my companion. My pal. I adored him and will miss him terribly.
“I could talk about him as a player for hours, but none of that feels important right now.
“This is the man. This individual. He was such a kind person. The best. So genuine. Simply normal and real.
“Full of love for everyone he cared about. Full of fun.
“He was the most British foreign player I’d ever encountered. We used to say he was actually Irish… I’d try to claim him as Scottish, obviously. I even called him Diogo MacJota.
“We would watch darts and horse racing together. Going to Cheltenham this season was a highlight, one of the greatest we’ve had.
“I last saw him on the happiest day of his life: his wedding day. I want to remember his never-ending smile on that amazing day. How much he adored his wife and family.
“I can’t believe we are saying goodbye. It’s too soon, and it hurts a lot.
“But, mate, thank you for being in my life and making it better. “Love you, Diogo.”
Jota scored 65 goals for Liverpool, including the winner in the Merseyside derby against Everton, and won two Carabao Cups, one FA Cup, and the Premier League.
After numerous fans urged that his No.20 shirt be retired, the club stated that it will be “rightfully immortalised.”
Jota has won two UEFA Nations League titles with Portugal, most recently defeating Spain on penalties last month.
Jota and his brother’s funerals are scheduled for Saturday in Portugal, following a wake at the Sao Cosme Chapel in Gondomar.
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