Trent Alexander-Arnold has paid an emotional tribute to his friend and former teammate Diogo Jota after waking up to the “heartbreaking” news earlier this week.

Alexander-Arnold is currently with Real Madrid in the United States competing in the Club World Cup, unable to be supported by his former Liverpool teammates in person.

It is an unthinkable situation for the 26-year-old who tried to play in “honour” of his close friend during Real’s quarter-final with Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

Alexander-Arnold and Jota shared the pitch 145 times across five seasons and their bond was evident when the Scouser gave an emotional interview to DAZN:

“Condolences, my love, my thoughts and prayers to the family of a close friend of my mine,” Alexander-Arnold said.

“It’s been very, very difficult for me personally and also the ones that knew him, not just teammates or friends and family but the footballing world.

“Some things are bigger than the game.

“It has been difficult but it’s been very emotional, very heart-warming to see the footballing world unite and come together to show their love and support to him and his family, and obviously his brother as well.

“So although it’s been difficult, it’s also been a nice showing out from everyone, all clubs, all people, uniting and showing love and support for what must be a mind-blowingly hard time for the family.

“I’ve been in and around him and his brother, his family, his amazing wife, his parents, his amazing three children.

“It’s truly, truly heartbreaking to wake up to news like that. It’s something that you would never, ever expect.

? Post-match, Trent Alexander-Arnold honors Diogo Jota.

Words filled with respect, loss, and love. pic.twitter.com/U3Ke5bY5Ph

— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 5, 2025

“He was a very close friend, someone who lit up a room when he was in it. I shared the dressing room for five years [with him and have] amazing memories on and off the pitch with him.

“It goes without saying, he will never be forgotten by anyone. He will live long in all our memories for the amazing man and player he was.”

Alexander-Arnold played 67 minutes and notched an assist on what was the day of Jota’s funeral, which he admits was “difficult” but he played in “honour” of the No. 20.

“At the end of the day, I still had a job to do today,” he said. “To try and perform for the team and try and help us win the game, no matter how difficult it was.

“I still have a job to do. So, you know, as hard as it was, I’ve got to try and push that to the back of my mind and focus on what my job and my role was.

“Trying to do that the best that I could, it was difficult I’m not gonna lie about that.

“But done it in honour of my close friend, you know. And that’s what I’m sure he would have wanted me to do. We would have had a laugh and a joke about the assist as well.

“That was, in some way, in memory of him. He was there with me today, I’m sure.”

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In the days following Diogo Jota‘s death, tributes have been pouring in from around the world – from fellow professionals to the biggest music acts.

Jota passed away on Thursday and was laid to rest alongside his brother, Andre Silva, on Saturday in his hometown of Gondomar, Portugal.

Their passing has led to an overwhelming number of tributes from beyond just the world of sport, with many wishing to encapsulate what they meant in the lives of thousands in some small way.

From fellow professionals in football to those in other codes and across music, the tributes to Jota have been as vast as they have been touching.

Oasis

On the opening night of Oasis’ first concert after 16 years, the band dedicated ‘Live Forever’ to Jota.

In the final moments of the song, the screens on stage projected Jota in his No. 20 shirt, drawing applause from the crowd:

The Diogo Jota tribute from Oasis at the end of Live Forever. Amazing touch.

Can’t imagine how this moment must’ve been for those there. pic.twitter.com/q02gemwAYl

— Kurtweety (@KurtSoccerBeat) July 5, 2025

Oasis dedicating Live Forever to Jota is some moment. How beautiful?? pic.twitter.com/bUbnnbbXtE

— George Scaife (@Scaife51) July 4, 2025

The football community

In the world of football, a minute’s silence has taken place before each Club World Cup and Women’s Euro match.

On Saturday, Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe both paid tribute with their celebrations:

A special goal, a special tribute to Diogo. ?? pic.twitter.com/MzGSix29JG

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) July 5, 2025

To André & Diogo ??????… pic.twitter.com/l7pDMLZMy8

— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) July 5, 2025

In the MLS, Diogo Goncalves – who played with Jota at U21s level with Portugal – scored and paid tribute with the ‘controller’ celebration:

Diogo Gonçalves with a remarkable finish for @RealSaltLake and then pays tribute to the late Diogo Jota ??? pic.twitter.com/aw1B85hsJz

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 6, 2025

Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar got his whole team involved after scoring a winner in the 100th minute of their MLS match:

100TH MINUTE…

HANY MUKHTAR DELIVERS ? pic.twitter.com/e8FnGX5LHP

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 6, 2025

In Norway, Tromso played Liverpool’s tribute video to Jota for fans at the ground:

Diogo Jota tribute video at Tromso v Molde tonight #wwfc #wolves #Liverpool #lfc #ynwa #DiogoJotaRIP #liverpoolfc pic.twitter.com/jSYPbYEIOc

— Colin (@ColinPep1) July 5, 2025

From the AFL and NRL…

In the world of AFL (Australian Rules Football), Sydney Swans’ Errol Gulden and Carlton’s Jesse Motlop both dedicated goals with one of Jota’s signature celebrations:

Motlop dedicates his goal to the late @LFC star Diogo Jota ??#AFLBluesPies pic.twitter.com/XzUTqhv5Wl

— AFL (@AFL) July 4, 2025

A special celebration from Errol ??#AFLSwansFreo pic.twitter.com/xB4uNqwwES

— AFL (@AFL) July 6, 2025

In the NRL, Manly’s Tom Trbojevic celebrated a try with the number ’20’:

Tom Trbojevic tribute to Jota after scoring??#nrlmanlysouths pic.twitter.com/B4ikGXMmeI

— Sean??? (@dxfineo) July 6, 2025

Ozzy Osbourne and more

Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne’s last-ever concert took place at Villa Park and after his final set, screens lit up in tribute to Jota:

Third tribute to Diogo at Back to the Beginning. Broken ? pic.twitter.com/giZG1WxSNY

— AMHmcmlxxii (@AMHmcmlxxii) July 5, 2025

Right after Ozzy did his solo set tonight.#LFC #AVFC pic.twitter.com/sqpXlmBq3C

— Rich (@Suic1deW4tch24) July 5, 2025

Nuno Bettencourt, Portuguese guitarist, from Xtreme wore a Liverpool kit on stage with Jota on the back at Black Sabbath’s final concert:

Que belíssima homenagem a Diogo Jota no concerto de tributo a Ozzy Ozzbourne e Black Sabbath, com Nuno Bettencourt na guitarra!
RIP Diogo Jota! ? pic.twitter.com/HkfR1ll7fn

— Tiago (@tiagogotit) July 6, 2025

At Silverstone during the British Grand Prix, Fat Boy Slim also put Jota’s image up on the big screen:

Lovely tribute to Jota at the Fatboy Slim gig at Silverstone today #YNWA #Liverpool pic.twitter.com/buVIVBllsZ

— DominicBird72??????? (@Domiyyyyyyy) July 5, 2025

Jotas tribute at fatboy slim. A moment that will forever live with me ?? pic.twitter.com/mEj1fFy2Qm

— hutch (@WillHutch_) July 5, 2025

Professional boxer Joe Cordina returned to the ring and after his victory paid his respects to Jota’s family:

Lovely touch from @Joecordina_91 paying his respects to @DiogoJota18 and his family… #YNWADiogo pic.twitter.com/6H156ZR7N2

— Salah's Era (@Jimmyp1892) July 5, 2025

And after a knockout win, Portuguese MMA fighter Gustavo Oliveira paid tribute by putting Jota’s name on the back of his shirt:

After his stunning knockout, Portuguese MMA fighter Gustavo Oliveira paid tribute to Diogo Jota by putting his name on the back of his shirt ?

What a moment ? pic.twitter.com/vuaqDFHPoi

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 5, 2025

You meant to much to so many, Diogo. Rest in peace.

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Months after Diogo Jota officially became a Liverpool player his father reflected fondly and proudly of his son’s journey, words that are now especially poignant.

There can be few words to convey the devastation the Jota family are currently facing after the tragic deaths of Diogo and Andre.

The brothers were laid to rest on Saturday in their hometown of Gondomar, Portugal, with Liverpool players and staff in attendance to pay their respects.

Diogo and Andre were the only children of Joaquim and Isabel Silva, and their pride in their children was underlined when they spoke to Maisfutebol in 2020, months after Liverpool signed their No. 20.

What you will find in the words to follow is the story of a humble family who did everything to support the dreams of their two sons.

“Diogo only saw that in front of him. In his grandmother’s backyard, he broke many pots and plants,” Joaquim Silva, his father, reflected.

“It was a space measuring three meters by 15. He spent a lot of his free time there.

“The only thing we wanted was for him to play sports, so that he would be physically and mentally healthy. At the same time, that way we would always know where he was and we felt that he was well looked after.

“He started out as a left midfielder. He was forced to do that to improve his left foot. And it worked.

“He then moved on to attacking midfielder, number ten. And then he was a forward and left winger. Diogo didn’t really like being a winger, because he wasn’t a player for crossing. But he grew up playing in that position.

“The feedback from those in charge at Pacos de Ferreira (where Jota turned professional) was great. They told us that Diogo was very responsible and mature.

“That was enough for us, knowing that our son behaved well was better than seeing him become a star. We felt that our job had been well done.

“He saw first-hand the difficulties his parents faced. We were factory workers, we didn’t earn much above the minimum wage and we never hid our limitations from our children.

“It wasn’t easy having two sons in football and paying what we paid. Diogo never asked us for anything. He never asked us or said he would like to have branded football boots.

“He knew it wasn’t possible, he already had that sensitivity. That’s why he knows how to value things, value life.

“All he wanted was football and the PlayStation. He never went out at night when he was a teenager, except for his birthday.

“He never went out for dinner, nights out, nothing. He stayed at home. I even told him sometimes to go.

“For Diogo, if there was football in the afternoon and PlayStation in the evening, that was fine. We gave him, with great difficulty, his first PlayStation and he didn’t ask us for it.

“He never asked us for anything.”

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Diogo Jota was, in many ways, the antithesis of the stereotypical modern day footballer.

The player from humble roots in northern Portugal was a rare breed; a footballer who did not crave the limelight or celebrity lifestyle, quite the opposite. In the words of Jose Mourinho he was “not from this generation.”

Away from football, he enjoyed sports like snooker – attending the World Snooker Championships at the crucible, darts, and horse racing.

He, along with two of his closest friends in football, Andy Robertson and Caoimhin Kelleher, attended Cheltenham festival earlier this year, with Jota in a flat cap and wool coat looking far from the multimillionaire footballer he was.

In the words of Robertson, he was “the most British foreign player I’ve ever met.” MacJota was what the Scot nicknamed him.

Kelleher would sit alongside Jota on the way to Liverpool games, with the two of them browsing the matchday programme and testing each other on the quiz questions inside. The two showed an old school approach and enjoyed the simpler things in life.

Jota was also a renowned video gamer, particularly at ‘FIFA (EAFC)’ – where he was ranked World Number 1 in 2021 – and enjoyed playing Football Manager.

“I happen to be training Telford United on Football Manager. I’m already in 2029,” he said in an interview back in 2020.

In that same interview, conducted shortly before his move to Anfield, Jota revealed that it was the team from the other half of Merseyside, Everton, that took his eye as a kid growing up in northern Portugal.

“I loved to watch Everton play, especially when they were playing at home,” he said. “It was not a club that fought for the title but that always made life very complicated for the big teams. And I loved that drive and competitiveness. They were relentless.”

That grittiness, fighting spirit and underdog mentality was one that clearly resonated with Jota, who displayed such characteristics as a player. Despite his slight frame and height of 5ft 10, he was superb in the air, often out-jumping centre-backs of a bigger stature.

•

Jota’s humble upbringing is underlined in words from his father, Joaquim Silva, shortly after his move to Liverpool from Wolves.

His father describes how “Diogo never asked us for anything. He never asked us or said he would like to have branded football boots.”

That attitude and approach to life continued into adulthood, despite the world in which Jota found himself.

“We were factory workers, we didn’t earn much above the minimum wage and we never hid our limitations from our children,” his father explained.

Jota’s father spoke of how they wanted his two sons, Diogo and Andre, to play sports so that they would be “physically and mentally healthy,” describing positive feedback from coaches at his youth club, Pacos de Ferreira, that Diogo was responsible and mature “was enough for us, knowing that our son behaved well was better than seeing him become a star. We felt that our job had been well done.”

All a parent wants is for their child to be safe, kind and respectful. It is the parenting trifecta.

Such words about his upbringing go some way to explaining how Jota grew to be such a humble, friendly and kind person, liked by everyone who encountered him.

“All he wanted was football and the PlayStation,” his father explained. “He never went out at night when he was a teenager, except for his birthday.”

When he did arrive at Liverpool, there was restricted media involvement due to the pandemic. Jota vlogged his journey from Wolverhampton to Liverpool, uploading a minute vlog, edited himself, showing his attempts at a scouse accent and behind the scenes. “I can’t wait to get started, let’s go,” he said.

Earlier this year, in what are now heartbreaking words to look back on, he said of Liverpool: “For me it means everything, to be honest. It changed my life completely. My three kids were born here, I have a house here.

“I truly believe it’s hard to be in such a good position like I am as a player at the moment. I’m really grateful for that, to all of the people in the club and to all of the fans, for making this happen.”

•

Jota’s closest friend in football was Ruben Neves, the two especially bonding during their time at Wolves. It was Neves’ tribute, among the many, that really evoked emotions for many.

Alongside photos of the two of them, one with Neves doing Jota’s tie, captioned: “When I go to the national team, you’ll continue to be by my side at the dinner table, on the bus, on the plane… you’ll always be there with me, as usual.”

He signed off with: “Diogoal, you are my favorite lemonade!!” This message showed the fun, playful and endearing character of the two.

For Neves to play football less than 48 hours after his best friend’s death, doing so for Al Hilal in the Club World Cup on Friday evening in the USA, before flying across the Atlantic to attend and carry the coffin at the funeral shows incredible strength of character.

•

Among the many tributes for Jota, a clear idea of his character emerges. So many highlight how much his family, especially his wife Rute Cardosa and three young children, meant to him.

Together for over 12 years since their teenage years, Rute and Diogo’s relationship is another rarity in the modern world. “Yes to forever,” he wrote after their wedding just 11 days before he was tragically taken from his soul mate.

Just days before his death, Jota wrote a smitten reply to Rute’s Instagram of images of her getting ready for the wedding with the caption “My dream came true” – replying “But I’m the lucky one.”

•

The Portuguese are known for their family-oriented approach to life. They’re also easy-going, friendly and passionate. To that end, Diogo Jota was a perfect representation of a nation of 10 million that competes above its level on the international stage.

Kelleher wrote in his tribute: “You were such a fun, genuine, normal, down-to-earth and loving family man and always very competitive.”

To go from winning trophies with both club and country and marrying your childhood sweetheart all within a month, to the tragic passing alongside his brother so soon after shows the extreme highs and lows of life.

Ultimately, Jota was a humble, family-focussed man who loved sports and computer games, playing FIFA and Football Manager to the early hours. A bit of an introvert in an extroverted world. Many fans will see a bit of them in him.

It is, perhaps, for these reasons that Jota’s death has received such an outpouring of emotion.

Football and the events that happen within and around it are a microcosm of society and wider life. As supporters we idolise players, but more so those we can relate to. Often the respect is greater for those whose story is like Jota’s.

The 28-year-old’s death is a stark reminder of how precious, precarious and cruel life can be.

We must all take a little something from what Diogo Jota represented and carry his character and qualities into the world. It would be a better place for it.

Numero 20 para sempre. •

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