I’m Frightened To Return To Liverpool After Jota’s Death – Salah
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has said he is “frightened” to return to the club following the tragic death of teammate Diogo Jota in a car accident in Spain.
Jota and his younger brother, Andre Silva, were killed in the early hours of Thursday after their car veered off a motorway and burst into flames.
The tragedy has left the football world in mourning.
In an emotional tribute on Instagram, Salah wrote, “I am truly lost for words. Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me of going back to Liverpool after the break. Teammates come and go but not like this.
“It’s going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won’t be there when we go back. My thoughts are with his wife, his children, and of course his parents who suddenly lost their children. Those close to Diogo and his brother Andre need all the support they can get. They will never be forgotten.”
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said he was “absolutely devastated and in total disbelief,” while manager Arne Slot urged the entire club community to support each other, saying, “We owe it to Jota to stand together.”
Jota had recently married his partner Rute Cardoso on June 22 and shared their wedding video on Instagram just hours before the crash. They had three children.
A wake was held in Portugal on Friday, with the funeral set for Saturday.
Liverpool have postponed the return of some players for pre-season training, originally scheduled for Friday, to Monday.
Their first friendly match is slated for July 13 against Preston.
The club has opened a book of condolence, lowered its flags to half-mast, and fans have laid flowers, scarves and shirts outside Anfield. Similar tributes have also appeared at Molineux Stadium, where Jota once played for Wolverhampton Wanderers.
AFP
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
