Andy Robertson has taken to social media to pay an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota following his tragic passing.
Jota, along with is brother André Silva, died in a car accident in northwestern Spain on Thursday.
As soon as the news emerged, tributes poured in from across the football world. Cristiano Ronaldo, with whom Diogo lifted the Nations League trophy back in June, lead his salute with “it doesn’t make sense”.
Many Liverpool players, ex-players and staff paid homage to their teammate and friend throughout the day. Arne Slot started in shock — “What to say? What can anyone say at a time like this when the shock and the pain is so incredibly raw?”. Similarly, captain Virgil van Dijk spoke of disbelief — “I can’t believe it, I don’t wanna believe it”.
The latest tribute has come from teammate Andy Robertson, a known close friend to the Portuguese forward. The two could regularly be seen joking together in training and Robertson attended Jota’s wedding last month.
In the heartbreaking Instagram post, the 31-year-old Scottish captain said it was “too soon” to say goodbye after describing Diogo as “the best, so genuine” and revealing the nickname for his ‘buddy’ — Diogo MacJota.
The ones I’m thinking about most right now are the family. Their loss is too much to bear. I’m so sorry that they have lost two such precious souls – Diogo and Andre.
For the team and the Club, we’ll try to cope with this together… however long that takes.
For me, I want to talk about my mate. My buddy. The bloke I loved and will miss like crazy.
I could talk about him as a player for hours, but none of that feels like it matters right now.
It’s the man. The person. He was such a good guy. The best. So genuine. Just normal and real.
Full of love for the people he cared about. Full of fun.
He was the most British foreign player I’ve ever met. We used to joke he was really Irish… I’d try to claim him as Scottish, obviously. I even called him Diogo MacJota.
We’d watch the darts together, enjoy the horse racing. Going to Cheltenham this season was a highlight – one of the best we had.
The last time I saw him was the happiest day of his life – his wedding day. I want to remember his never-ceasing smile from that magical day. How much he was bursting with love for his wife and family.
I can’t believe we’re saying goodbye. It’s too soon, and it hurts so much.
But thank you for being in my life, mate – and for making it better.
Love you, Diogo.
Both brothers will be laid to rest in their hometown of Gondomar, Portugal on Saturday.
We at Paisley Gates wish to send our thoughts to everyone impacted by the news of Diogo Jota’s passing.
YNWA.
