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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Jota died in a car crash</li><li>Tributes continue to pour in </li><li>Slot penned a heartfelt statement</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n">Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'Unimaginable loss'- Arne Slot issues emotional statement after tragic death of Diogo Jota and says Liverpool star 'will never be forgotten'

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According to authorities from the Guardia Civil, the vehicle they <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/diogo-jota-brother-andre-drove-spain-ferry-uk-tragic-deaths-car-accident-liverpool-flying-lung-surgery/blt5132c67d78a846c6" target="_blank">were travelling in caught fire </a>after veering off the road. The Zamora Provincial Council <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/diogo-jota-liverpool-obituary/blt93ef4f2bc70a9286" target="_blank">confirmed the details of the devastating scene</a>, marking one of the darkest days in recent football memory.

WHAT HAPPENED?

In a moment of "raw" emotion and heartbreak, Slot admitted he was at a loss for words, expressing a sentiment shared by millions of fans. "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," he wrote."All I have are feelings that I know so many people will share about a person and a player we loved dearly and a family we care so much about. My first thoughts are not those of a football manager. They are of a father, a son, a brother and an uncle and they belong to the family of Diogo and Andre Silva who have experienced such an unimaginable loss."Slot reassured them that they were not alone in their grief, echoing the club’s anthem: "My message to them is very clear – you will never walk alone. The players, the staff, the supporters of Liverpool Football Club are all with you and from what I have seen today, the same can be said of the wider family of football. This is not solely a response to tragedy. It is also a reaction to the goodness of the people involved and the respect that so many have for the boys as individuals and for the family as a whole."Reflecting on Jota’s contributions, Slot praised his exceptional qualities, unwavering work ethic, competitive spirit, footballing brilliance, and goal-scoring prowess. He stated that Jota symbolized the true essence of what a Liverpool player should be."For us as a club, the sense of shock is absolute. Diogo was not just our player," he said. "He was a loved one to all of us. He was a teammate, a colleague, a workmate and in all of those roles he was very special. I could say so much about what he brought to our team but the truth is everyone who watched Diogo play could see it. Hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, goals. The essence of what a Liverpool player should be."Slot was equally passionate in highlighting the personal side of Jota — a man who built friendships across all corners of the dressing room, who lifted spirits without seeking attention, and who remained grounded despite his fame. "There were also the parts that not everyone got to see," he wrote. "The person who never sought popularity but found it anyway. Not a friend to two people, a friend to everyone. Someone who made others feel good about themselves just by being with them. A person who cared deeply for his family. The last time we spoke, I congratulated Diogo on winning the Nations League and wished him luck for his forthcoming wedding. In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family, which makes it all the more heartbreaking that it should end like this."When I first came to the club, one of the first songs I got to know was the one that our fans sing for Diogo. I had not worked with him previously but I knew straight away that if the Liverpool supporters, who have seen so many great players over the years, had such a unique chant for Diogo, he must have special qualities."That we have lost those qualities in such terrible circumstances is something we have not yet come to terms with. For this reason, we need everyone at the club to stand together and to be there for one another. We owe this to Diogo, to Andre Silva, to their wider family and to ourselves."

WHAT SLOT SAID

Just ten days ago, Jota had married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso, in what was supposed to be the beginning of a new and joyful chapter. Slot also recalled their last conversation, congratulating <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/real-madrid-stars-kylian-mbappe-jude-bellingham-vinicius-jr-tributes-diogo-jota/bltec9ad3f00c3883ba" target="_blank">Jota on Portugal’s Nations League triumph</a> and offering his best wishes for his upcoming wedding. "My condolences go to Diogo’s wife, Rute, their three beautiful children and to the parents of Diogo and Andre Silva," he wrote. "When the time is right, we will celebrate Diogo Jota, we will remember his goals and we will sing his song. For the time being, we will remember him as a unique human being and mourn his loss. He will never be forgotten. His name is Diogo."

A JOYOUS SUMMER CUT SHORT

The outpouring of love wasn’t limited to Merseyside. Former clubs, including Porto, Atletico Madrid, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Pacos de Ferreira, all released heartfelt tributes to the Portuguese star. Former Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher and iconic <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/legendary-liverpool-manager-jurgen-klopp-heartbreak-passing-great-friend-diogo-jota/blt760755e7a12fd41c" target="_blank">former manager Jurgen Klopp</a> also shared messages for the Jota family. Jota’s international teammates, including <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/cristiano-ronaldo-tribute-liverpool-forward-diogo-jota-portugal-team-mate-dies-car-crash/blt3cf9186d2879b272" target="_blank">global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, joined the chorus of remembrance.</a>

TRIBUTES FLOOD IN FOOTBALL WORLD

'Unimaginable loss'- Arne Slot issues emotional statement after tragic death of Diogo Jota and says Liverpool star 'will never be forgotten' | Goal.com

Liverpool manager Arne Slot issued a deeply moving tribute to Diogo Jota  following the sudden and heartbreaking death of the Portuguese forward.

&apos;Unimaginable loss&apos;- Arne Slot issues emotional statement after tragic death of Diogo Jota and says Liverpool star &apos;will never be forgotten&apos;

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