OBITUARY
Ronaldo, FIFA president, others react to death of Liverpool and Portugal player Diogo Jota
Following are quotes and reactions to the death of Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva in a car crash in Spain on Thursday:
LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB
“Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.
“The club have been informed that the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.
“Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and requests the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.
“We will continue to provide them with our full support.”
FORMER LIVERPOOL MANAGER JUERGEN KLOPP
“This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can’t see it! I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Diogo and his brother, Andre.
“Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father! We will miss you so much!”
PORTUGAL PRIME MINISTER LUIS MONTENEGRO
“The news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honoured Portugal’s name, and his brother is unexpected and tragic. I extend my deepest condolences to their family. It is a sad day for football and for national and international sports.”
PORTUGAL AND AL-NASSR PLAYER CRISTIANO RONALDO
“It doesn’t make sense. We were together just recently in the national team, and you just got married.
“To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you’ll always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre. We’ll all miss you.”
MANCHESTER UNITED AND PORTUGAL PLAYER BRUNO FERNANDES
“There are no words of consolation for so much pain. I will always remember you with your smile, as a good companion on and off the field.
“I send all my strength to his family, from wherever he is, I am sure he will always be with you, especially to his wife and his three children.”
LA LAKERS PLAYER AND LIVERPOOL MINORITY OWNER LEBRON JAMES
“My prayers goes out to his loved ones during this time! May you all be guided and protected! YNWA JOTA!!”
FIFA PRESIDENT GIANNI INFANTINO
“Aged 28, Diogo has enjoyed a fantastic career to date and had many great years ahead of him, while his brother Andre was thriving at FC Penafiel – they will both be so sorely missed by all those who knew them and by the worldwide football community.”
BRITISH PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER
“There are millions of Liverpool fans, but also football fans, non-fans, who will also be shocked by this.
“It is devastating, and it is really important we bear in mind just how difficult a period this will be for his friends, for his family.”
PORTUGUESE FOOTBALL FEDERATION PRESIDENT PEDRO PROENCA
“Portuguese football is devastated. The Portuguese federation, this generation of players are mourning. Diogo was what we all want to be, was a reference for Portuguese football, was a talent of his generation…”
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
“We are heartbroken. Diogo was adored by our fans, loved by his teammates and cherished by everyone who worked with him during his time at Wolves. The memories he created will never be forgotten.”
LIVERPOOL GREAT KENNY DALGLISH
“Football is not important at this sad time. You feel helpless, knowing there’s so little we can do to ease the pain for his wife of just two weeks, his three beautiful children.
“Thinking and praying for all their loved ones after the devastating loss of both Diogo and Andre.”
PORTUGAL PLAYER RUBEN NEVES
“They say that we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you.”
LIVERPOOL PLAYER DARWIN NUNEZ
“There are no words of consolation for so much pain. I will always remember you with your smile, as a good companion on and off the field.
“I send all my strength to his family, from wherever he is I am sure he will always be with you, especially to his wife and his three children.”
UEFA PRESIDENT ALEKSANDER CEFERIN
“Just three weeks ago, I had the honour of presenting Diogo Jota with a medal after the UEFA Nations League final – a moment of joy, pride, and celebration that will now forever be burned in memory with sorrow.
“His passion, energy and spirit on the field inspired everyone around him. It is devastating to think that a life so full of joy and potential has been taken far too soon. Rest in peace, dear Diogo. You will not be forgotten.”
PENAFIEL FC, ANDRE SILVA’S CLUB
“The loss of two young lives linked to the world of football fills us with pain and consternation.
“At this difficult time, Futebol Clube Penafiel extends its most sincere condolences to the family, friends and all those who shared moments of life and passion for sport with Andre and Diogo.
“The club will declare official mourning and will pay tribute at its upcoming sporting events. Rest in peace.”
-Reuters
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Former Nigerian international goalkeeper, Ike Shorunmu, has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Peter Rufai, describing the legendary shot-stopper as his idol and a major influence on his football career.
In an emotional message following Rufai’s passing on Thursday, July 3, Shorunmu, who also manned the posts for the Super Eagles and Lagos-based Stationery Stores FC, revealed how the late Rufai’s charisma and goalkeeping brilliance inspired his own journey into the sport.
“Dodomayana was just a wonderful personality on and off the field,” Shorunmu stated, using Rufai’s popular nickname. “Because of him, I joined Stationery Stores FC. I admired him a lot when he was playing for Stores.”
Shorunmu, who eventually rose to become Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, said meeting Rufai in the national team was a dream come true. He credited the late captain with shaping his goalkeeping skills through valuable mentorship.
“When we now met in the national team, he taught me different things which I will not forget quickly,” he added. “Adieu, my idol Peter Rufai. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. I will miss you, Dodomayana.”
Rufai, who died at the age of 61, was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 1994 FIFA World Cup and helped the Super Eagles lift the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations. He also captained the team in several crucial matches and is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s greatest goalkeepers of all time.
His death has sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes from former teammates, football administrators, and fans both in Nigeria and abroad.
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Al-Hilal’s Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo broke down in tears during the minute’s silence held for their former Portugal teammate Diogo Jota before their side’s Club World Cup quarter-final against Fluminense on Friday.
Jota, a Liverpool forward, and his younger brother Andre Silva were killed in a car accident in northwestern Spain on Thursday morning when their Lamborghini veered off the road and caught fire.
Tributes have continued to pour in for Jota and Andre with footballing greats including Cristiano Ronaldo and Steven Gerrard, joining the Prime Ministers of Portugal and Britain in mourning the loss.
Friday’s match between Al-Hilal and Fluminense in Orlando began with players and fans observing a minute’s silence in memory of Jota and Andre.
Neves, one of Jota’s closest friends who played with the 28-year-old during their days at Wolverhampton Wanderers, issued a touching tribute on Instagram about an hour before kick-off.
“Wherever you are, I know you’re going to read this, we’ve never been one for this sort of thing and maybe now I’ll regret it a little, but you know what you mean to me just as much as I know what I am to you,” Neves said
“More than a friendship, we’re family, and we’re not going to stop being family just because you’ve decided to sign a contract a little further away from us!
“When I go to the national team, you’ll still be by my side at the dinner table, on the bus, on the plane… you’ll always be there with me, as usual. We’ll keep laughing, making plans, sharing our lives with each other.
“I’ll make sure you’re always there and I’ll make sure your family never lacks anything while you’re there, far away but thinking of us, waiting for us …
“As of today, you’ll be on the pitch with me, and we’ll follow our path together, on the stage where we met.”
Chelsea’s Portuguese forward Pedro Neto also paid a heartfelt tribute to his friends when he walked out on the field with a shirt bearing their names before their quarter-final against Palmeiras in Philadephia.
“We spoke with Pedro yesterday and this morning and this afternoon and it was completely Pedro’s decision to play or not to play,” Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said after his team’s 2-1 win.
“He did, he made a fantastic effort to play this game, to play with his teammates, and we really appreciate what he has done.
“I just said to the players that this win is especially for him because we know how close he was, and the effort that he has made. So no doubt that we really appreciate what he decided in the end.”
The funerals of the brothers are expected to take place on Saturday at 10 a.m. local time (0800 GMT) in the Portuguese town of Gondomar.
-Reuters
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The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Dr Patrice Motsepe, has expressed heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Peter Rufai, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and the entire Nigerian football community following the passing of the former Super Eagles captain.
Rufai, fondly known as “Dodo Mayana,” died on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the age of 61. Widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s finest goalkeepers, Rufai represented the country at two FIFA World Cups (1994 and 1998) and multiple Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments, including captaining the team to its historic 1994 AFCON victory in Tunisia.
In a condolence message issued by CAF, Dr Motsepe praised Rufai as a trailblazer and icon of African football who brought pride to both Nigeria and the continent at large.
“Peter Rufai is part of a special generation of African football players who made the people of Nigeria and the entire African continent very proud,” said Dr Motsepe. “He was an enormously talented footballer and was respected in Africa and globally.”
Dr Motsepe extended the sympathies of CAF and its 54 Member Associations to Rufai’s family, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, Rufai’s former teammates, and all Nigerians mourning the loss.
“‘Dodo Mayana’ will forever live in our hearts and minds. May his soul rest in peace,” the CAF President concluded.
Rufai’s death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from across the football world, a testament to the enduring legacy of a player who not only excelled on the pitch but also inspired a generation of African footballers.
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