Diogo Pinto

Diogo Jota team-mate pays tribute to Liverpool icon with touching gesture

Diogo Jota's widow Rute Cardoso has shared a tribute from FC Porto goalkeeper and captain Diogo Costa during the club's title celebrations. The football world was left in shock in July last year when Jota and his brother Andre were killed in a car accident in Spain. Jota had been travelling back to Liverpool for pre-season after undergoing minor lung surgery in Porto. He had originally planned to fly to the UK but, on medical advice, opted to return via ferry from Santander. The tragedy came just days after the Portuguese forward married his long-term partner, Rute, with whom he shared three children. FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page On Saturday, Porto faced Alverca in Liga Portugal knowing that a draw or win would secure their 31st league title after Sporting Clube de Portugal and Benfica both dropped points. They sealed a 1-0 win and, during the celebrations, Costa was seen wearing a Porto shirt with Jota's name and the number 19. Speaking to a reporter afterward, the Portuguese said: "[This is for] our Portista [Porto fan] and dear Diogo Jota and his brother. For me, he was a national team-mate, but he also played here. "I knew he was a huge Portista and we want to dedicate this league trophy to him, his brother and their family." On a separate interview with Sport TV, Costa added: "There's so much to say, so much to remember. Our Jorge, our president, personally, Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva… It's a mix of sadness and happiness at the same time. "This morning, when I woke up, I felt, it was almost as if I knew something good was going to happen, because we deserve it and I think we did everything for it." Rute shared the tribute on her Instagram stories. It has been a difficult year for Porto on and off the pitch marked by the losses of Jota, long‑serving president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa who led the institution for 42 years, and one of its greatest captains and defining figures, Jorge Costa. Jota has been a huge miss for Liverpool, with the club writing in their most recent set of accounts, released in March: TThe club was deeply saddened by the tragic passing of first team player Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. Their deaths had a profound impact on the Club, the footballing community, and supporters around the world. "In accordance with financial reporting standards, the club expects to recognise the financial impact, including a £14.4million impairment of remaining registration costs for Diogo and other associated costs, in the reporting period ending 31 May 2026. "While this financial assessment is necessary for financial reporting purposes, it does not reflect the immeasurable personal and professional loss experienced by the club" He won the Premier League , the FA Cup and the League Cup at Anfield , and lifted the Nations League twice with Portugal. Following his death, Liverpool officially retired his No. 20 shirt.

2026-05-03