I was in Abuja for a conference when a colleague walked up to me and said, “Jota is dead.”
“You play too much, guy.”
“I’m serious, Liz. Jota is dead. Check your Twitter.”
I’ll never forget that wave of shock as I hurriedly scrolled through my timeline, hoping it was fake news.
The realization that we’ll never hear, “It’s Diogo Jota!! Liverpool makes it 2!” again is heartbreaking.
The void he has left in our hearts and at the club can never truly be filled.
It made me realize that we’re far more emotionally connected to these players than we often think.
It’s one year now and I still think about his wife and his very young children. I hope that one day they grow up to see how many beautiful memories their father gave us, and just how deeply he was loved.
#jotaforever20
One year later, and the pain hasn’t faded.
Today, we remember Diogo Jota, gone too soon, never forgotten 💔🕊️
We wish you were still here, wearing the Liverpool FC jersey and doing what you loved most.
Forever in our hearts our number 20 ❤️
Today, as every day, we remember Diogo Jota and André Silva, who tragically passed away one year ago.
Through immeasurable loss and incalculable pain, the impact they made and the legacies they left behind - not only within the footballing world, but in the hearts and minds of so many around the world - has shone through over the last 12 months.
All of our love, support, thoughts and prayers continue to be with Diogo and André's families, friends and all those whose lives were touched by them.
Forever in our hearts, forever our number 20 ❤️