Liverpool's Andy Robertson has revealed his loving nickname for Diogo Jota as he pens a heartbreaking and emotional letter to the late Portugal forward after his fatal car crash. Jota and his brother Andre Silva lost their lives in the early hours of Thursday in Spain after a burst tyre caused their car to veer off the highway. Robertson has also revealed his loving nickname for 'Scottish' Jota.
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Robertson sends heartfelt message to JotaReveals special nickname for 'forever' teammateSends love and strength to his familyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The unfortunate news broke of Jota's death in the morning hours of Thursday, after reports from Spain claimed that the Liverpool forward's car had been involved in a car crash in Zamora. Portugal and Liverpool then confirmed the news, and tributes quickly flooded in for the Anfield favourite, and Robertson, who was good friends with Jota off and on the pitch, has now penned a very emotional letter for the 'gentle soul'.
AdvertisementROBERTSON'S TRIBUTE TO JOTA
On Instagram, Robertson wrote a heartbreaking message to Jota which read: "The ones I’m thinking about most right now are the family. Their loss is too much to bear. I’m so sorry that they have lost two such precious souls – Diogo and Andre.
"For the team and the Club, we’ll try to cope with this together… however long that takes. For me, I want to talk about my mate. My buddy. The bloke I loved and will miss like crazy. I could talk about him as a player for hours, but none of that feels like it matters right now. It’s the man. The person. He was such a good guy. The best. So genuine. Just normal and real. Full of love for the people he cared about. Full of fun.
"He was the most British foreign player I’ve ever met. We used to joke he was really Irish… I’d try to claim him as Scottish, obviously. I even called him Diogo MacJota. We’d watch the darts together, enjoy the horse racing. Going to Cheltenham this season was a highlight – one of the best we had. The last time I saw him was the happiest day of his life – his wedding day. I want to remember his never-ceasing smile from that magical day. How much he was bursting with love for his wife and family.
"I can’t believe we’re saying goodbye. It’s too soon, and it hurts so much.
"But thank you for being in my life, mate – and for making it better.
"Love you, Diogo."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
During their five years together, Jota and Robertson helped Liverpool win the Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup. The two Reds stars developed a special bond during that period that went beyond the bounds of Anfield. The two were frequently spotted watching horse racing, darts, or playing FIFA together.
AFPFURTHER TRIBUTES TO JOTA
The tragic loss is a difficult one to take for the footballing world and Liverpool, especially. Fans of all clubs have come together to celebrate the life of Jota as tributes have poured in from all around the world for the adored former Portuguese international and his brother, Andre.