Diogo Jota’s sudden passing has sent shockwaves to the football world, with Liverpool players and staff offering heartfelt tributes, while Mohamed Salah is reportedly cutting his holiday short in response to the tragic news.
Mohamed Salah is expected to return to England on Friday, earlier than planned, following the devastating death of his Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota.
As reported by Egyptian outlet Yallakora, Salah is due back in Liverpool on Friday, ahead of the scheduled pre-season training resumption on July 8. Several Liverpool players are also set to return to Merseyside over the weekend, with the global football community still reeling from the loss of Jota.
Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, lost their lives in a fatal car crash on Thursday morning in Zamora, Spain. Jota was reportedly on his way back to England and had been travelling toward Santander to board a ferry, having been advised against flying by doctors following recent lung surgery.
Salah had been sharing photos from his holiday, with Turkiye Today stating he had been vacationing in Bodrum, Turkey. He had also visited Mombasa in Kenya and Mykonos in Greece, but will now return to the UK to begin preparations for the upcoming campaign.
Liverpool recently experienced the joy of winning the Premier League title, but that triumph has now been overshadowed by Jota’s untimely death. It was the Portuguese forward’s first league title since joining the club shortly after their 2020 triumph.
Jota made the move to Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers on September 19, 2020, in a deal valued at \$56 million. He signed a long-term contract and built a strong partnership with Salah, with the pair playing 150 matches together and linking up for 19 goals.
Only Ruben Neves, who now plays for Saudi side Al-Hilal, has featured in more matches alongside Jota. Neves, a Portugal international and former Wolves midfielder, had a close connection with Jota during their time in the Premier League.
Although Salah has not yet made a public statement regarding Jota’s passing, many of their Liverpool teammates have shared emotional tributes. Head coach Arne Slot has also expressed his condolences, as have the club’s 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.”
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