Andy Robertson shares heartfelt tribute to ‘buddy’ Diogo Jota following the Liverpool star’s tragic passing
Andy Robertson honoured Diogo Jota with a heartfelt tribute that perfectly reflected how cherished the late Liverpool forward was.
Jota, 28, and his brother, André Silva, tragically died in a car crash in Zamora, northwestern Spain, during the early hours of Thursday while en route to Santander. Their car suffered a tyre blowout during an overtaking manoeuvre and caught fire, with both men pronounced dead at the scene.
Jota had recently married his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso, with whom he shared three young children. His untimely death sparked an outpouring of grief from across the footballing world, with emotional tributes from figures like Cristiano Ronaldo and former Liverpool managers Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot.
Trent Alexander-Arnold admitted he was at a loss for words as he remembered Jota as both a great teammate and close friend. Andy Robertson, also deeply shaken, began his tribute by extending thoughts to Jota’s grieving family.
Robertson went on to recall cherished memories from their five years together at Liverpool, focusing on Jota’s character more than his talents on the pitch. He fondly described Jota as the “most British foreign player” he’d known, often jokingly referring to him as “Diogo MacJota.” He shared stories of their shared love for darts, horse racing, and their memorable visit to Cheltenham – one of their favourite times together.
Robertson also posted a photo from Jota’s wedding day – which he described as the happiest day of the forward’s life and the last time they saw each other. He remembered Jota’s radiant smile and the deep love he had for his wife and children.
In his Instagram message, Robertson wrote:
> “Right now, my heart is with the family. Their loss is unimaginable. I’m so sorry they’ve lost two incredible souls – Diogo and Andre.
As a team and a club, we’ll try to get through this together, no matter how long it takes.
Personally, I want to remember my mate – someone I loved and will miss more than words can say.
We could talk endlessly about him as a footballer, but what matters now is the man he was – genuine, kind, and full of life.
He always had time for others, always brought joy. He loved fiercely and lived fully.
Thank you for being part of my life, Diogo. You made it better. I’ll never forget you. Love you, mate.”
Jota scored 65 goals for Liverpool, with his final strike coming in a Merseyside derby win over Everton. During his time at Anfield, he lifted the Premier League, two Carabao Cups, and the FA Cup.
The club confirmed that his No.20 shirt will be “rightly immortalised,” echoing fans’ calls to retire the number in his honour.
Internationally, Jota earned 39 caps for Portugal, winning two UEFA Nations League titles, including a dramatic shootout victory over Spain just last month.
Jota and his brother’s funeral is scheduled for Saturday in their hometown of Gondomar, following a wake at the São Cosme Chapel on Friday.
