Mo Salah is set to cut his holiday short following the death of Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota, according to reports.
Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva died in a car crash in the early hours of Thursday (July 3).
The Liverpool forward and his brother were travelling in a Lamborghini, which caught fire while overtaking another car in north-west Spain.
The Guardia Civil announced that the pair died at around 00:30 on Thursday. Tributes quickly poured in from Jota’s former teammates and clubs with Cristiano Ronaldo, Jamie Carragher and Jurgen Klopp all posting tributes on social media.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot used the words “hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, goals” when describing Jota, as well as saying that his thoughts were with the player’s family.
Spanish midfielder Stefan Bacjetic was the first Liverpool player to react to the news by posting to his Instagram story.
Diogo Jota has died (Credit:Getty)
He wrote: “You will be remembered my friend.”
The likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Salah also released emotional statements throughout Thursday.
Van Dijk 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.
“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 & André.”
And according to Egypt-based outlet Yallakora, relayed by the Mail, Salah is reportedly set to return to the UK and cut short his holiday.
Mo Salah and Diogo Jota (Credit:Getty)
Salah, 33, played alongside Jota on 150 occasions, the second most of any player behind former Wolves and Portugal teammate Ruben Neves.
Liverpool are set to report for pre-season training on Tuesday before getting their preparations for the season underway with a friendly against Preston at Deepdale on July 13.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has released a statement following the death of Diogo Jota.
Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva died in a car crash in northwestern Spain in the early hours of Thursday morning (July 3).
The Guardia Civil confirmed the news to BBC Sport while reports claim they were travelling in a vehicle which caught fire before flames spread to the vegetation, as per the Zamora Provincial Council.
“Two young people die in an accident on the A-52 (Palacios de Sanabria),” a statement from the Council read.
“The Rionegro del Puente Fire Station (Northern Zone of the @DiputacionZA Consortium) responded.
“The vehicle caught fire, and the flames spread to the vegetation.
“They were 28 and 26 years old. RIP.”
Diogo Jota has died (Credit:Getty)
Jota’s passing came just ten days after he married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso.
Tributes quickly poured in from all of his former clubs – Porto, Wolves, Atletico Madrid and Pacos de Ferreira – as Liverpool also released a statement.
Former Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher and ex-head coach Jurgen Klopp joined in with the tributes, with Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo also publishing a statement on social media.
Then, at around 6:10 pm, Liverpool FC released a statement on behalf of Slot.
Slot 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.
Arne Slot and Diogo Jota (Credit:Getty)
“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.”
Klopp, who signed Jota from Wolves in 2020, said he was left “heartbroken” by the news in an Instagram post and hailed the former Porto academy product as “a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father!”.
He also offered his prayers to Rute and the rest of the family.
Jota scored 65 goals in all competitions for Liverpool and after winning the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, helped the Reds win their 20th league title in Slot’s first campaign.
His final career goal was the winner in the Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield.
A minute’s silence will be held for Jota when Portugal take on Spain in the women’s European Championship, after a request was granted by UEFA.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
