Diogo Jota’s sudden death has shocked the soccer community, with Liverpool players and staff issuing emotional tributes, and Mohamed Salah is set to cut his vacation short
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah will return to England on Friday after cutting his vacation short, following the tragic passing of teammate Diogo Jota.
According to Egyptian publication Yallakora, Salah will return to Liverpool on Friday, days before players were due back for pre-season training on July 8. Many Liverpool stars are expected to return to Merseyside this weekend, with the soccer world observing a period of mourning after Jota’s death.
Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, were involved in a fatal car accident on Thursday morningin Zamora, Spain. Jota was reportedly traveling back to England and was headed to Santander to catch a ferry after doctors advised him not to fly following lung surgery.
Salah has been posting frequent vacation photos, with Turkiye Today reporting that the Egyptian has been in Bodrum, Turkey. Salah has also spent time in Mombasa, Kenya, and Mykonos, Greece, but will now return to the UK to begin preparations for next season.
Liverpool has gone from a supreme high to a tragic low. The Reds just celebrated winning the Premier League title, Jota’s first since joining the club months after its previous success in July 2020.
Jota was signed in a deal worth $56 million on Sept. 19, 2020, arriving from Wolverhampton Wanderers on a long-term contract. He held a special relationship with Salah and the pair played together 150 times for Liverpool, combining for 19 goals.
The only player with whom Jota has made more competitive appearances is Ruben Neves, who currently plays for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. Neves is also a member of the Portugal national team and was at Wolves before moving to the Middle East.
Salah is yet to post a public tribute following Jota’s death, but several teammates have issued emotional statements. Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has also spoken out, as have owners Fenway Sports Group.
Jota’s former teammate, Neves, wrote on Instagram: “They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you!”
Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez also paid tribute, as he wrote: “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, from where he is I’m sure he will always be with you, especially his wife and three children. May Diogo and Andre rest in peace.”
Former Liverpool player Trent Alexander-Arnold issued a heartfelt tribute: “It’s so difficult to find the right words when your head and heart are struggling to accept that someone you care so much about has gone.
“Diogo, your family was your world. They were everything. For Rute, his children, and his parents, all of our hearts are broken. And for Andre as well. Brothers and best friends.
“When it’s less painful, I want to remember Diogo with a big smile. So many laughs and happy moments. He was such a great teammate and a true friend. Forever number 20. Rest in peace, Diogo.”
