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Cristiano Ronaldo leads emotional tributes to Diogo Jota as Portugal teammate tragically dies
Cristiano Ronaldo has led a glowing list of tributes to Diogo Jota following confirmation of his Portugal teammate’s passing. Ronaldo, who played in Jota’s final match last month, penned an emotional statement in reaction to the Liverpool star’s tragic death. Jota and Ronaldo won the Nations League with Portugal last monthGetty Portugal captain Ronaldo has led the tributes to his teammate’s tragic deathGetty In the early hours of Thursday morning, Jota died in a car accident, aged 28, in a devastating incident that also killed his brother, Andre. A Liverpool statement read: “Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. “The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre. “Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.” Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo was among the football stars to pay tribute to Jota, whose death came just two weeks after his marriage to long-term partner Rute Cardoso in Portugal. The pair played 32 games together for the Portuguese national team, the most recent of which came in the Nations League last month. Ronaldo and Jota shared the pitch for seven minutes during the semi-final win over Germany, and both played, albeit separately, in the penalty shootout triumph over Spain that ultimately proved to be the latter’s final ever game. Ronaldo wrote on X: “It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together in the national team, just now you had got married. “To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. “I know you’ll always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and André. We’ll all miss you.” Jota played over 30 times with Ronaldo for his countryGetty Ronaldo’s emotional message to his teammate Cristiano Ronaldo and Diogo Jota together 5 goals by Cristiano Ronaldo, assisted by Diogo Jota 2 goals by Diogo Jota, assisted by Cristiano Ronaldo Ronaldo’s emotional tribute followed a similar message from fellow countryman Pepe, who retired last year after Euro 2024. He said: “It was with great sadness that I received the news of the passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre. “An untimely, painful loss that leaves us all poorer – as colleagues, as friends and as football lovers. “At this moment of deep sorrow, I send the family, friends and all those who loved them my most sincere condolences.May you find strength in the love and memories you left behind. “May you rest in peace.” Meanwhile, Lionel Messi posted his heartwarming tribute on Instagram, saying: “May he rest in peace.” Jota had just tied the knot with long-term partner Rute CardosoInstagram Tributes have been pouring in to honour the forward Jota’s last act as a Liverpool player was lifting the Premier League title on the final day of last season. His former Wolves teammate Matt Doherty shared a picture of the pair speaking together on the pitch during their time at Molineux. He said: “I remember exactly what you were saying to me. “Can’t believe this. What a special player and person. “Distraught for all your family and friends.” Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher added on X: “Devastating news about Diogo Jota & his brother Andre this morning.” “Thoughts are with everyone of their family & friends, especially his wife Rute & their three lovely kids.” Rio Ferdinand posted: “Absolutely heartbreaking. “My thoughts and prayers go out to Diogo Jota, Andre Silva, their family & friends!” Jota won the Nations League in his final competitive gameGetty Jota’s ex-teammate at Wolves, Ruben Neves, has also posted on Instagram, paying tribute to the Liverpool star. He wrote: “They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you!” Wolves have released a statement following the death of their former player Diogo Jota and his brother. “We are heartbroken,” Jota’s former club posted on X. “Diogo was adored by our fans, loved by his teammates and cherished by everyone who worked with him during his time at Wolves. The memories he created will never be forgotten. “Our hearts go out to the family, friends and loved ones of Diogo and his brother, Andre. “You will be truly missed, and always remembered.” Another of Jota’s former clubs, Atlético Madrid, also wrote on social media: “Atlético de Madrid is shocked by the tragic news of the passing of former club player Diogo Jota and his brother André. “We send our deepest condolences to their family and loved ones. May they rest in peace.” Jota, who moved to Merseyside from Wolves in a £45million deal in 2020, quickly endea
Cristiano Ronaldo has led a glowing list of tributes to Diogo Jota following confirmation of his Portugal teammate’s passing.
Ronaldo, who played in Jota’s final match last month, penned an emotional statement in reaction to the Liverpool star’s tragic death.
In the early hours of Thursday morning, Jota died in a car accident, aged 28, in a devastating incident that also killed his brother, Andre.
A Liverpool statement read: “Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.
“The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.
“Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.”
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo was among the football stars to pay tribute to Jota, whose death came just two weeks after his marriage to long-term partner Rute Cardoso in Portugal.
The pair played 32 games together for the Portuguese national team, the most recent of which came in the Nations League last month.
Ronaldo and Jota shared the pitch for seven minutes during the semi-final win over Germany, and both played, albeit separately, in the penalty shootout triumph over Spain that ultimately proved to be the latter’s final ever game.
Ronaldo wrote on X: “It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together in the national team, just now you had got married.
“To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world.
“I know you’ll always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and André. We’ll all miss you.”
Cristiano Ronaldo and Diogo Jota together
5 goals by Cristiano Ronaldo, assisted by Diogo Jota
2 goals by Diogo Jota, assisted by Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo’s emotional tribute followed a similar message from fellow countryman Pepe, who retired last year after Euro 2024.
He said: “It was with great sadness that I received the news of the passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre.
“An untimely, painful loss that leaves us all poorer – as colleagues, as friends and as football lovers.
“At this moment of deep sorrow, I send the family, friends and all those who loved them my most sincere condolences.
May you find strength in the love and memories you left behind.
“May you rest in peace.”
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi posted his heartwarming tribute on Instagram, saying: “May he rest in peace.”
Jota’s last act as a Liverpool player was lifting the Premier League title on the final day of last season.
His former Wolves teammate Matt Doherty shared a picture of the pair speaking together on the pitch during their time at Molineux.
He said: “I remember exactly what you were saying to me.
“Can’t believe this. What a special player and person.
“Distraught for all your family and friends.”
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher added on X: “Devastating news about Diogo Jota & his brother Andre this morning.”
“Thoughts are with everyone of their family & friends, especially his wife Rute & their three lovely kids.”
Rio Ferdinand posted: “Absolutely heartbreaking. “My thoughts and prayers go out to Diogo Jota, Andre Silva, their family & friends!”
Jota’s ex-teammate at Wolves, Ruben Neves, has also posted on Instagram, paying tribute to the Liverpool star.
He wrote: “They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you!”
Wolves have released a statement following the death of their former player Diogo Jota and his brother.
“We are heartbroken,” Jota’s former club posted on X.
“Diogo was adored by our fans, loved by his teammates and cherished by everyone who worked with him during his time at Wolves. The memories he created will never be forgotten.
“Our hearts go out to the family, friends and loved ones of Diogo and his brother, Andre.
“You will be truly missed, and always remembered.”
Another of Jota’s former clubs, Atlético Madrid, also wrote on social media: “Atlético de Madrid is shocked by the tragic news of the passing of former club player Diogo Jota and his brother André.
“We send our deepest condolences to their family and loved ones. May they rest in peace.”
Jota, who moved to Merseyside from Wolves in a £45million deal in 2020, quickly endeared himself to the Anfield faithful.
He scored his first goal for the club on his home debut in a 3-1 Premier League win over Arsenal in September 2020.
Jota went on to find the net another 64 times in 182 appearances for the Reds, including nine last season, as Liverpool won the title.
The fan-favourite scored the first official goal of the Arne Slot era in August 2024, opening the scoring in a 2-0 win away at Ipswich Town.
His final strike was the matchwinner in a 1-0 victory over local rivals Everton in the Merseyside derby at the start of April.
The last of his 182 appearances for Liverpool came as a substitute in the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace on the final game of last season.
