The sudden passing of Diogo Jota has shaken the entire soccer world, prompting tributes from fans and players around the globe. During the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 quarterfinal between Fluminense and Al Hilal, players and officials paused for a special tribute to Jota and his brother, André Silva.
The tragic news, which broke early yesterday morning, deeply moved the global soccer community—especially in Liverpool—and was honored during the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 with moments of silence. In the first FIFA Club World Cup match following the tragedy, the tournament held its own tribute. Fluminense players, coaching staff, and match officials all wore black armbands in memory of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva, though notably, Al Hilal players did not.
Before kickoff at Camping World Stadium, players and officials gathered at midfield for a minute of silence. The tribute was especially emotional for Al Hilal’s Portuguese internationals Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves, who appeared visibly shaken as they struggled to contain their emotions.
“We all know it’s a very sad day because of what happened to Diogo and Andre. These things should never happen. We’re all aware of the tragedy. We have two Portugal players Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo who were friends to them,” Inzaghi told a news conference on Thursday.
Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves visibly emotional
Former Premier League stars Cancelo and Neves shared a close bond with Jota, having played alongside him for the Portuguese national team. Their grief was evident on the field and later expressed through emotional social media posts.
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“Today, we didn’t just wake up without two players. Today, three children woke up without their father. Today, a mother and a father woke up without their two sons. Today, a wife woke up without her husband by her side. Today, we all woke up in shock,” wrote Cancelo.
Neves, who played with Jota for years at Wolverhampton Wanderers, shared a heartfelt letter that captured the depth of their friendship—a connection that went beyond soccer: “I’ll make sure you’re always present, and I’ll make sure your loved ones have everything they need while you’re away—far, but thinking of us, waiting for us. Life brought us together, and now it can’t tear us apart.
“We’ve achieved some beautiful things together, and we still have so much more to accomplish. I know we’ll get there. From today on, you’ll step onto the field with me, and we’ll keep walking our path together, on the stage where we first met,” wrote part of Neves’ letter.
