Portuguese forward Joao Felix has paid an emotional tribute to his national team-mate and close friend, Diogo Jota, following the Liverpool star’s death in a car accident at the age of 28.
Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, were killed on July 3 when their Lamborghini veered off the road in northern Spain. The tragedy came just 11 days after Jota had married Rute Cardoso, the mother of his three children.
The Premier League honoured Jota with a series of moving tributes over the weekend, while teammates, fans, and clubs across the world expressed grief.
Speaking to reporters in Hong Kong, where he is with his new club Al Nassr for the Saudi Super Cup, Felix described Jota as one of his closest companions in the Portugal squad.
“Diogo to me was one of my best friends in the national team, he was always part of our mini group. I knew his family, especially his parents — an incredible family,” Felix said.
He added that Jota’s legacy would remain alive in football:
“I think he will forever be a part of football history, he will remain in the hearts of those who were already close to him. Every time we go on the field, we will remember him and play in part for him.”
Felix, who recently joined Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr in a £43.7 million move from Chelsea, was among the mourners at Jota’s funeral.
