Joao Felix has paid a heartfelt tribute to his Portugal teammate and close friend, Diogo Jota, describing him as someone who will “forever be a part of football history” following the Liverpool star’s tragic death at the age of 28.
Jota lost his life along with his brother, Andre Silva, in a car accident on July 3 when their Lamborghini veered off the road in northern Spain. The tragedy struck just days after Jota had celebrated his wedding to Rute Cardoso, the mother of his three children, marking a devastating turn of events for his young family.
Over the weekend, the Premier League honored Jota with a series of moving tributes across stadiums, where players, managers, and fans stood in silence to remember the Portuguese forward. The football community has since been united in grief, mourning the loss of one of its brightest talents.
Felix, visibly shaken as he spoke about his late teammate, expressed the depth of his bond with Jota. “Diogo to me was one of my best friends in the national team, he was always part of our mini group in the national team, those of us who were always together,” Felix recalled. “I knew his family, especially his parents, an incredible family.”
The 25-year-old attacker, who was among the mourners at the funeral of the Jota and his brother, shared his sorrow during a press appearance in Hong Kong, where he is currently with his new club Al Nassr for the Saudi Super Cup. “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,” Felix said. “After that day, every time we go on the field we will remember him and play in part for him.”
Felix recently completed a high-profile move to Al Nassr from Chelsea, where he now plays alongside fellow Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo. The transfer, reported to be worth up to £43.7 million ($58 million), marks the latest chapter in Felix’s career, which has also seen him play for Benfica, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and AC Milan. Reports indicate he will earn $10 million annually at the Saudi club.
What you should know
Diogo Jota, a key figure for Liverpool and Portugal, tragically passed away in a car accident in Spain alongside his brother, just days after his wedding.
His friend and teammate Joao Felix has remembered him as one of his closest companions in the national team and believes Jota’s legacy will forever remain etched in football history.
