Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has revealed the deep fear and sorrow he feels about returning to the club following the devastating loss of teammate Diogo Jota. On Thursday, news broke that Jota and his younger brother Andre tragically died in a car accident in Spain. The siblings were involved in a fiery crash on the A-52 road after a tyre blew out while overtaking another vehicle.
Mohamed Salah tribute to Diogo Jota
The tragedy struck just two weeks after Jota celebrated his marriage to long-time partner Rute Cardoso, whom he had been with since 2012. Liverpool’s announcement of Jota’s passing sparked an outpouring of grief from fans, players, and the football community worldwide.
Salah took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his heartfelt emotions with a poignant message and a black-and-white photo of himself and Jota. He wrote,
I am truly lost for words. Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me of going back to Liverpool after the break. 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.
Reports from Egyptian media outlet Yallakora indicate Salah may cut short his summer break to return to Liverpool amid the mourning period. Liverpool teammates Virgil van Dijk and Darwin Nunez also shared moving tributes. Van Dijk expressed his devastation, saying,
Man, I can't believe it, I don’t wanna believe it. Absolutely devastated and in total disbelief. What a human being, what a player, but most importantly what an unbelievable family man. He offered unwavering support to Jota’s family, promising, We will always be there for your family… Your legacy will live on, we will make sure of it! Rest in perfect peace Diogo and Andre.
Nunez added,
There are no words of comfort for so much pain. I will always remember you with your smile, as a good companion on and off the field. I send all my strength to his family...
Liverpool manager Arne Slot conveyed his sorrow in an official statement, saying,
What to say? What can anyone say at a time like this when the shock and the pain is so incredibly raw?... My first thoughts are not those of a football manager. They are of a father, a son, a brother and an uncle and they belong to the family of Diogo and Andre Silva who have experienced such an unimaginable loss.
This tragedy has left a profound impact on the Liverpool family and the wider football community, underscoring the fragility of life beyond the pitch.