Trent Alexander-Arnold breaks silence about the death of Diogo Jota in emotional tribute

Real Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold brought a special tribute to Diogo Jota, his former teammate of Liverpool who died tragically on Thursday, after the last victory of the Spanish giants in the FIFA Club World Cup

Trent Alexander-Arnold paid tribute to Diogo Jota after helping Real Madrid in the semi-final of the FIFA Club World Cup and stated: “He will never be forgotten.”

The English star, who left Boy Hood Club Liverpool for Real Madrid at the beginning of June, was unable to attend his former teammates funeral on Saturday due to the participation of the Spanish giants in the United States. Los Blancos defeated Borussia Dortmund 3-2 to book a last four place against Paris Saint-Germain.

“My condolences, my love, my thoughts and prayers to the family of a good friend of mine,” said Alexander-Arnold, who played with Jota in Anfield for five years. “It was very difficult for me personally, and also those who knew him. Not only teammates, friends and family, but also the football world.

“Some things are bigger than the game. It has been difficult, but it has been heart -warming to see the football world unite to show love and support to him and his family, and also his brother. Although it was difficult, it was a nice tones of clubs and people who show love and support for what a stunningly difficult time should be for his family.”

Alexander -Arnold continued: “I have been in and around him and his brother, his family, his great wife, his parents, his great three children – it is really heartbreaking to wake up with so new news. It is something you would never expect.

Read more: Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister explains Diogo Jota Funeral No-Show in Fervent Defense of BroerRead more: Diogo Jota Funeral: The moving act by Ruben Neves after a beautiful tribute to friend

“He was a very good friend. Someone who lifted a room when he was in it. I shared a dressing room with him for five years. Great memories on and next to the field. It goes without saying that he will never be forgotten by anyone.

“He will live for a long time in all our memories for the great man and player he was.”

Many members of the Liverpool team were united in their grief because they said goodbye to their teammate alongside his family, friends and a host of his international teammates during his funeral in Gondomar on Saturday.

A service for the 28-year-old father of three, who married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso almost fourteen days ago, and his brother, Andre Silva, was held in the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar Church in their hometown, near Porto, after their killing in a car crash on Thursday.

Liverpool -captain Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson each wore a flower tribute in the form of a red shirt with the respective numbers of the two brothers. Head coach Arne Slot and the majority of the team were present.

For example, Michael Edwards – the man who signed Jota from Wolves in 2020 when he was a sports director and now Chief Executive of Voetbal is for owners Fenway Sports Group – current sports director Richard Hughes and head of Fysiotherapie Lee Nobes and a number of other members of the Backroom of the Club.

EX-Liverpool Captain Jordan Henderson, who placed flowers on Friday in the improvised sanctuary outside of Anfield, James Milner, Thiago Alcantara, who signed in the same transfer window as Jota, Caoimhin Kelleher, Fabinho and former Wolves and Portugal-Teammate Joao Mouteammate were also present.

So Joao Cancelo and Jota’s ‘best friend’ in football, Ruben Neves, the former Wolves captain who Jota knew since they were teenagers were. The couple played on Friday evening in the club World Cup in the United States – with both in tears demolished for their quarter -final match against Fluminense as a tribute to Jota and his brother was played on large screens – before he flew back to be present at the funeral.