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| 사진캡퍼=BBC |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Trent Alexander-Arnold, who left Liverpool for Real Madrid, delivered a tearful tribute to Diogo Jota, who ended his life in an unexpected car accident.
The funeral of Jota and his younger brother Andre, 25, who died at the unfortunate age of 28, was strictly observed at a church in his hometown of Murdermar, Portugal, on the 5th (Korean time). Jota and Andre were killed in a car accident while traveling together in a car in Samora, Spain, on the 3rd. Jota was devastated 10 days after marrying his wife, Rutte Cardoso, making those around him even more sad.
He moved to Liverpool in September 2020 after playing for Atletico Madrid (Spain) and Wolverhampton (England). Jota has scored 47 goals in 123 matches in the English Premier League (EPL) alone in five seasons with Liverpool, and he has scored 65 goals in 182 matches in official matches. The Portugal international also played in 49 A matches and scored 14 goals.
Liverpool decided to pay the remaining two-year annual salary to the bereaved family, and decided to permanently cancel the uniform number 20. Jota's weekly salary is reported to be 140,000 pounds (about 261 million won).
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| EPA Yonhap News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Alexander-Arnold spent five seasons with Jota. He broke up after leading Liverpool to the English Premier League (EPL) title in 2024-2025 season.
Alexander-Arnold was not present at the funeral. He started the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025 against Borussia Dortmund (Germany) at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on the 6th.
Real Madrid advanced to the semifinals by beating Dortmund 3–2. Alensander-Arnold assisted Fran Garcia's second goal in the 20th minute of the first half, helping him advance to the semifinals.
Alexander-Arnold had to do his best for the team and help the team win, no matter how difficult it was after the game 'DAZN'"I had to push myself to focus on my duties and roles. I tried to do my best, but to be honest, it wasn't easy.'
And "Jota was one of his best friends. I'm sure you wanted me to run hard. We would have laughed and joked about the assist. I'm sure Jota was with me," he stressed.
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Alexander-Arnold remembered Jota as "a player who brightened the stadium"." He "I shared a dressing room with him for five years. It has such amazing memories both on and off the field. Needless to say, he will never be forgotten by anyone. As an amazing man and player, he will live on in all of our memories for a long time."
He continued "It was very touching and heartwarming to see the soccer community come together and show their love and support for Jota, his brother and his family"I will be with him and his brother, his family, his wonderful wife, his wonderful parents, and his wonderful children. It's really, really heartbreaking to hear such news. It was completely unexpected."
Before the quarterfinals between Real Madrid and Dortmund, a silent tribute was held to Jota and his younger brother Andre. Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe paid tribute to Jota's Liverpool back-to-back No. 20 after scoring the winning goal.
Real Madrid will compete with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey at 4 a.m. on the 10th.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
