{"id":38471,"date":"2025-07-04T16:17:08","date_gmt":"2025-07-04T16:17:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/38471\/"},"modified":"2025-07-04T16:17:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-04T16:17:08","slug":"diogo-jotas-family-receives-emotional-vow-from-liverpools-captain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/38471\/","title":{"rendered":"Diogo Jota’s family receives emotional vow from Liverpool’s captain"},"content":{"rendered":"

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has vowed to \u201calways be there\u201d for late teammate Diogo Jota\u2019s family after the Portuguese forward was killed in a fiery car crash<\/a> earlier this week.<\/p>\n

In an emotional post shared Thursday on Instagram<\/a>, a \u201cdevastated\u201d Van Dijk honored Jota, who perished in a car wreck early Thursday in Spain that also claimed the life of his younger brother, Andre Silva.<\/p>\n

\u201cMan, I can\u2019t believe it, I don\u2019t wanna believe it,\u201d the 33-year-old captain began. \u201cAbsolutely devastated and in total disbelief.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a human being, what a player, but most importantly what an unbelievable family man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Virgil van Dijk (l.) and Diogo Jota (r.) in April 2023. Getty Images<\/p>\n

Diogo Jota tragically died in a car crash in July 2025. He was 28 years old. AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Jota, a dad to three young children with wife Rute Cardoso, whom he married just weeks ago in June<\/a>, was then promised by Van Dijk that his loved ones would be supported.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor your family to lose two sons, a husband and a father is just unimaginable. So cruel and unfair. My heart is breaking for all of your beautiful family, for Rute and for your kids. I promise you that in these difficult times and beyond we will always be there for your family,\u201d he expressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cA champion forever, number 20 forever. It\u2019s been a privilege to have stood by your side on the pitch, and to have been your friend off it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Diogo Jota and wife Rute Cardoso are parents to three young children. @rutecfcardoso14\/Instagram<\/p>\n

Virgil van Dijk celebrated with the Premier League trophy in May 2025. AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Van Dijk, who has served as Liverpool\u2019s captain since July 2023, then bid farewell to his late friend with a heartfelt message about Jota\u2019s legacy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will miss you beyond words and never forget you,\u201d he wrote. \u201cYour legacy will live on, we will make sure of it!\u201d<\/p>\n

Rute Cardoso and Diogo Jota wed in June 2025. @diogoj_18\/Instagram<\/p>\n

Jota had played for Liverpool since 2020 and scored 65 goals across 182 appearances. <\/p>\n

He and his brother were found dead after his Lamborghini veered off the road and burst into flames.<\/p>\n

Jota was 28 years old, and Andre was 25.<\/p>\n

Flowers and tributes are left outside Liverpool\u2019s Anfield Stadium following Diogo Jota\u2019s death. REUTERS<\/p>\n

Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson attends a tribute for Diogo Jota on July 4, 2025, in Liverpool. Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cLiverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota,\u201d the club said in a statement, adding that it requests<\/a> \u201cthe privacy of Diogo and Andre\u2019s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.<\/p>\n

Van Dijk isn\u2019t the only member of the club who has paid tribute to Jota.<\/p>\n

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah said Friday he\u2019s \u201ctruly lost for words\u201d in the wake of the tragic accident.<\/p>\n

Diogo Jota had played for Liverpool since 2020. REUTERS<\/p>\n

\u201cUntil yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me of going back to Liverpool after the break,\u201d he posted<\/a> on Instagram. \u201cTeam mates come and go but not like this. It\u2019s going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won\u2019t be there when we go back. My thoughts are with his wife, his children, and of course his parents who suddenly lost their children.\u201d<\/p>\n

Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson visited a growing memorial outside Anfield in Liverpool, England, on Friday, where he wiped away tears while paying his respects.<\/p>\n

Loved ones of Jota and his younger brother gathered in Portugal on Friday<\/a> ahead of a wake. <\/p>\n

The funeral is planned for Saturday.<\/p>\n

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