Trent Alexander-Arnold mentioned the quantity 20 shirt at Liverpool could be perpetually immortalised following the unhappy passing of former team-mate Diogo Jota.
Alexander-Arnold, who spent 5 seasons taking part in with Jota at Anfield, posted an emotional message on social media within the wake of the devastating information.
Jota, who made 182 appearances for Liverpool after becoming a member of the Reds from Wolves in September 2020, was killed in a automotive crash in Spain shortly after midnight native time on Thursday.
The crash, which occurred within the Spanish province of Zamora, additionally killed his brother Andre Silva, who was additionally an expert footballer.
Alexander-Arnold, who lately accomplished a change to Actual Madrid, received 4 main honours alongside Jota, which included final season’s Premier League title success.
The England worldwide is away together with his new group on the Membership World Cup, with Xabi Alonso’s aspect holding a second of silence earlier than coaching on Thursday.
“It’s so tough to search out the suitable phrases when your head and coronary heart are struggling to just accept that somebody you care a lot about has gone,” Alexander-Arnold wrote on social media.
“Diogo, your loved ones was your world. They have been every little thing. For Rute, his youngsters, and his mother and father, all of our hearts are damaged. And for Andre as effectively. Brothers and greatest buddies.
“When it’s much less painful, I need to keep in mind Diogo with a giant smile. So many laughs and comfortable moments. He was such an amazing team-mate and a real buddy.
“Ceaselessly quantity 20. Relaxation in peace, Diogo.”
In an earlier tribute, Liverpool mentioned: “The No.20 can be rightly immortalised for his contributions as a part of Liverpool’s 2024-25 title-winners – the membership’s twentieth – together with his trademark shimmy and strike in entrance of the Kop to seal victory in April’s Merseyside derby a poignant final objective of his life.”
It’s so tough to search out the suitable phrases when your head and coronary heart are struggling to just accept that somebody you care a lot about has gone.
Diogo, your loved ones was your world. They have been every little thing. For Rute, his youngsters, and his mother and father, all of our hearts are damaged. And for Andre… pic.twitter.com/tSznQJMIk9
— Trent Alexander-Arnold (@TrentAA) July 3, 2025
Andy Robertson additionally shared an emotional message about his friendship with Jota throughout their time on Merseyside.
Throughout that point, the Scottish left-back and Jota cast a relationship which transcended the Anfield pitch.
“Those I’m occupied with most proper now are the household. Their loss is an excessive amount of to bear,” Robertson mentioned in a put up on Instagram.
“I’m so sorry that they’ve misplaced two such valuable souls – Diogo and Andre. For the group and the membership, we’ll attempt to deal with this collectively… nevertheless lengthy that takes.
“For me, I need to speak about my mate. My buddy. The bloke I liked and can miss like loopy. I may speak about him as a participant for hours, however none of that feels prefer it issues proper now.
“It’s the person. The particular person. He was such a superb man. One of the best. So real. Simply regular and actual. Full of affection for the folks he cared about. Filled with enjoyable.
“He was probably the most British overseas participant I’ve ever met. We used to joke he was actually Irish… I’d attempt to declare him as Scottish, clearly. I even known as him Diogo MacJota.
“We’d watch the darts collectively, benefit from the horse racing. Going to Cheltenham this season was a spotlight – probably the greatest we had.
“The final time I noticed him was the happiest day of his life – his wedding ceremony day. I need to keep in mind his never-ceasing smile from that magical day. How a lot he was bursting with love for his spouse and household.
“I can’t imagine we’re saying goodbye. It’s too quickly, and it hurts a lot. However thanks for being in my life, mate – and for making it higher. Love you, Diogo.”
