In the most emotional moment of his short time at Liverpool, newly appointed manager Arne Slot has finally broken his silence on the devastating loss of Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in a car accident alongside his brother André Silva on July 3, 2025.
Jota, aged 28, had just returned from national team duty and celebrated his wedding only 11 days before the fatal crash. Now, with the world in mourning, Slot’s tribute serves not only as a heartfelt farewell but a call for unity within the club, the city, and the football world.
💬 “What To Say? What Can Anyone Say?”
In a statement posted across Liverpool FC’s official channels, Arne Slot struggled to find words to describe the pain shared by the club’s staff, players, and supporters.
“What to say? What can anyone say at a time like this when the shock and the pain is so incredibly raw? I wish I had the words but I know I do not.”
Slot, who had only just begun working with Jota, shared that even in their brief time together, the forward had left a profound impression:
“Diogo was not just our player. He was a loved one to all of us. A teammate, a colleague, and in all of those roles he was very special.”
🧍♂️ A Father, a Brother, a Son — Before a Footballer
Slot was clear that his grief extended far beyond the manager-player relationship. He spoke as a father and as a human being:
“My first thoughts are not those of a football manager. They are of a father, a son, a brother, and an uncle. My heart is with his family. No one should have to face what they are facing now.”
Slot assured the grieving families that the club stands behind them, and that they will not face the road ahead alone:
“To his loved ones: our arms are wrapped around you. You are not alone. You will never walk alone.”
⚽ Remembering the Man Behind the Jersey
While Jota’s footballing achievements — goals, assists, and clutch performances — were undeniably impressive, Slot focused on the man behind the number 20 shirt:
“Hard work, desire, commitment, great quality — he was the essence of what a Liverpool player should be. But more than that, he was kind. He was generous. He was humble.”
He recalled their final interaction just days before the crash, after Jota had returned victorious from UEFA Nations League duty with Portugal:
“We congratulated him on the Nations League win. We laughed. We talked about next season. He was full of hope, full of joy. I told him to enjoy the summer. That was our last conversation.”
😢 A Squad in Shock
Slot revealed that the entire Liverpool squad is in mourning, and that training and pre-season activities have been suspended so players and staff can grieve together.
“There are no tactics for this. No press conferences or game plans. There is only silence, sadness, and togetherness. The sense of shock is absolute.”
He also hinted at possible tributes to come, including retiring Jota’s number 20 shirt, and dedicating the upcoming season to his memory.
🌍 A Global Outpouring of Support
Since the accident, tributes have poured in from across the footballing world:
-
Mohamed Salah wrote, “You made us better. On and off the pitch.”
-
Virgil van Dijk shared, “A true warrior. A beautiful soul.”
-
UEFA announced a minute of silence at all upcoming matches in Jota’s honor.
-
Portugal’s Prime Minister attended his wake in Gondomar alongside hundreds of mourners.
🕯️ Final Words from Slot
Slot concluded his message with quiet strength and unity:
“This is not just about losing a footballer. It’s about losing a friend, a light in our lives. The pain is real, but so is the love we shared with him. Diogo will never be forgotten. Not by this club. Not by this city. And not by any of us who had the honor of knowing him.”
