Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has promised to support Diogo Jota’s family following the death of the forward and his brother Andre Silva in Spain on Thursday morning. Jota was travelling on the A52 road in Sanabria near the border with Portugal when the accident occurred.
It is understood the vehicle suffered a tyre blowout, with local reports claiming that emergency services were called to the scene shortly before 1am. Since then, the footballing world has come to a standstill as they shared their grief over Jota’s death.
On Thursday evening, a clearly heartbroken Van Dijk took to social media to share a touching tribute. Posting on Instagram, the Dutch defender wrote: “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.
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“You meant so much to all of us and you always will! For your family to lose two sons, a husband and a father is just unimaginable.
“So cruel and unfair. My heart is breaking for all of your beautiful family, for Rute and for your kids.
“I promise you that in these difficult times and beyond we will always be there for your family. A champion forever, number 20 forever.
“It’s been a privilege to have stood by your side on the pitch, and to have been your friend off it. We will miss you beyond words and never forget you.
“Your legacy will live on, we will make sure of it! Rest in perfect peace Diogo & Andre.”
Van Dijk’s post comes after head coach Arne Slot reacted to the news. On the cub’s website, he wrote: “What to say? What can anyone say at a time like this when the shock and the pain is so incredibly raw? I wish I had the words but I know I do not.
“All I have are feelings that I know so many people will share about a person and a player we loved dearly and a family we care so much about.
“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.
“My message to them is very clear – you will never walk alone. The players, the staff, the supporters of Liverpool Football Club are all with you and from what I have seen today, the same can be said of the wider family of football.
“This is not solely a response to tragedy. It is also a reaction to the goodness of the people involved and the respect that so many have for the boys as individuals and for the family as a whole.
