Portugal pay tribute to Diogo Jota ahead of Euro 2025 opener
The players of Portugal and Spain observed a period of silence before the opening match of the European female championship Thursday in memory of the striker of Portugal and the striker of Liverpool Diogo Jota.
The two sets of players also wore black armbands for the match. The players and supporters remained silent for about 20 seconds before the fans started to applaud.
Jota and his brother André Silva were killed in a car accident shortly after midnight in the northwest of Spain, when the Lamborghini, they traveled in a road and caught fire, the Spanish police said earlier.
Their death caused a wave of sorrow of fans, players and officials of women’s and male football.
“We lost one of ours. He was someone who followed the Navegadoras [Portuguese women’s team] closely. We are deeply saddened – there are not many words. All we can say is that he will never be forgotten, “said Portugal coach Francisco Neto.
Some fans of Portugal displayed banners in tribute to Jota before the opening of their Euro 2025 team. “Thank you for everything,” was written on one. “Rest in peace,” said another.
“Today, for them,” said Portugal attacker Francisca (Kika) Nazareth on Instagram a few hours before the match.
“One of ours,” said the teammate and his colleague Jéssica Silva, “Diogo was not only a star. He was one of the good, the faithful, the most attentive, the easiest to live … One of those who do not need noise to make their mark.
“Thank you, Diogo. Thank you, André. Football has become poorer … and we too. You will never be forgotten.”
Addressing journalists en route to the stadium, the president of the Portuguese parliament, Jose Aguiar Branco, said that the country would honor the pair for their contribution to sport.
“Tomorrow in the Assembly of the Republic, we will vote on the motion of condolences that I will present in order to honor the memory of these two young people and also the inheritance they leave in national sport,” he said.
The information from the Associated Press and Reuters was used in this report.
