Liverpool left back Andy Robertson made a heartfelt trip to Anfield to honour the memory of colleague Diogo Jota.
Jota, aged 28, was travelling back to Liverpool ahead of the 2025–26 pre-season when he was involved in a fatal car crash. Having recently undergone minor surgery, he was advised not to fly from Spain, where he was on family vacation, and instead made the journey by car and ferry. His younger brother André Silva, aged 25, also lost his life in the accident.
The devastating news sent shockwaves through Liverpool Football Club and the wider football world. In response, the club postponed the start of pre-season training to allow players and staff time to grieve. On Friday July 4th, a large contingent of Liverpool players, coaches, and staff travelled to Portugal for a public wake, with the funeral held the following day in Jota’s hometown of Gondomar the following day.
Among those present were club head coach Arne Slot, captain Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Alexis Mac Allister, Andy Robertson and Darwin Núñez. Former teammates James Milner, Caoimhin Kelleher and Jordan Henderson — who also made a personal visit to Anfield — attended, with Van Dijk and Robertson carrying floral wreaths bearing the numbers 20 and 30 tributes to Diogo and André respectively.
Robertson, who had grown particularly close to Jota during their five years together at Anfield was among the most deeply affected. Just weeks earlier, he had attended Jota’s wedding to his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso — a day Robertson described as the happiest he had ever seen his friend.
That joyful occasion now lingers in sharp contrast to the heartbreak that followed. On July 8th, as Liverpool players began to return to the AXA Training Centre for the start of pre-season, Robertson visited Anfield alone to lay a bouquet of flowers at the growing memorial outside the stadium. His handwritten note read:
“MACUOTA
Our hearts are broken but feeling very grateful for the memories you gave us all! I will miss you.
Love you, brother.
RoBBO”
The 31-year-old was seen quietly reflecting at the site, visibly emotional as he paid tribute to his teammate, friend and, in his own words, “brother.”
In a moving Instagram post on the day of the tragedy, Robertson shared the depth of his grief, choosing not to speak about Diogo’s talents as a footballer but instead focusing on the man he knew off the pitch.
“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,”
The Scotland captain recalled moments that showcased their friendship beyond football: watching darts, horse racing, playing FIFA, and jokingly calling Jota “Diogo MacJota” — a nod to how seamlessly the Portuguese star had embraced British culture.
Robertson’s tribute wasn’t just about honouring Jota’s memory it was about expressing a personal loss, one that has left a lasting void at both a club and personal level.
“I want to remember his never-ceasing smile from that magical [wedding] 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,”
As Liverpool begin the 2025–26 season, the absence of their former striker will be deeply felt both on and off the pitch. The team must now navigate the emotional challenge of pre-season without one of their most beloved figures.
Robertson’s tribute stands as a reminder that football is about more than what happens on the pitch. It’s about bonds formed, lives touched, and memories made. As for Diogo Jota, Liverpool had not just a gifted player, but a remarkable person whose legacy will endure far beyond the game.
