Bayern mourns Diogo Jota: Kimmich talks about loss and friendship

Bayern mourns Diogo Jota: Kimmich talks about loss and friendship

The football world is in shock following the tragic death of Diogo Jota, the 28-year-old Liverpool FC and Portuguese national team striker. Jota died on Thursday in a car accident in Spain while he and his brother André Silva were driving a Lamborghini. The accident occurred after one of the vehicle's tires burst, causing the car to veer off the road and catch fire. Both passengers died at the scene of the accident, a loss that saddens not only his family but the entire football community. As the NZZ reports, Jota leaves behind three small children aged four years, two years and seven months.

DFB captain Joshua Kimmich expressed his sadness about this tragic incident and noted that his teammates João Palhinha and Raphaël Guerreiro, two of Jota's compatriots, were particularly affected. Kimmich described that the players talked about it and the deep sadness felt by both of them. “It is important to reflect on such moments,” said Kimmich, who emphasized the fragility of life and the importance of personal relationships. Before Bayern's training in Orlando, the players held a minute's silence for Jota, which the radioleverkusen.de reported. A minute's silence will also be held before the quarter-final game against Paris Saint-Germain.

A talented player and family man

Jota, who recently married and won the Nations League with Portugal, leaves behind a legacy that goes far beyond his sporting successes. The player started his career at Gondomar and Paços de Ferreira before moving to Atlético Madrid in 2016. After loan spells in Porto and Wolverhampton, where he celebrated promotion to the Premier League with his team, he moved to Liverpool in 2020 for around 40 million euros. In his five seasons at Liverpool he scored 65 goals in 182 appearances and was known for his versatility on the field.

In addition to being an outstanding footballer, Jota was also active in the gaming community, where he reached the top spot in the FIFA rankings during the Covid pandemic. As the Portuguese association and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa emphasized, the loss of Jota is an irreparable setback for Portuguese football. Cristiano Ronaldo also expressed his sadness and described his death with the words: “It doesn’t make any sense.”

Mourning in football

The community within football shows its sadness in such difficult times. Rituals such as minutes of silence and memorial games are important elements that help to process losses and keep the memory of the deceased alive. The Power for life explains how this culture of mourning connects fans, players and clubs and offers emotional relief.

Football is more than just a game; it is a community that stands together in difficult moments. The emotional burden is lightened by such rituals, and everyone who knew Jota will surely carry with them their own memories of this extraordinary person. In times like these, we are reminded of how important it is to value the relationships we have in life.