Caoimhin Kelleher has posted an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota, following the tragic passing of the Liverpool ahead and his brother Andre Silva in a automobile crash on Thursday.
The Irish goalkeeper, who got here via the ranks with us and spent 5 years alongside Jota at Anfield, shared a robust message by way of Instagram that has left the soccer world in mourning.
His phrases supply a deeply private perception into the person Jota was behind the scenes — a loving household man, a fierce competitor, and one among Kelleher’s closest buddies in soccer.
‘I’m gonna miss you a lot’ – Kelleher’s heartbreak after Jota tragedy
The 25-year-old started his tribute: “Can’t consider I’m scripting this proper now and I’m discovering it exhausting to place into phrases. I’m completely devastated by this information.”
Kelleher went on to talk on to Jota’s family members: “All my ideas and condolences are with Rute and their 3 lovely youngsters and Diogo and Andre’s household.”
He described Jota as “one among my closest buddies in soccer”, revealing how the 2 bonded over watching sport collectively, particularly Andre’s matches streamed on Jota’s iPad.
“I used to be stunned a lad from Portugal liked sports activities reminiscent of darts, snooker and horse racing a lot,” he wrote. “A few of my finest reminiscences had been having fun watching them with you.”
“You had been such a enjoyable, real, regular, right down to earth and loving household man… all the time very aggressive. I’m gonna miss our pre-match programme quiz.”
Kelleher additionally mirrored on being there at Jota’s wedding ceremony simply 11 days earlier than his passing: “I really feel so blessed and grateful to have seen you in your happiest day… I’ll always remember it.”
He closed with: “You had been deeply liked by everybody on the membership, the town and everywhere in the world… I’m gonna miss you a lot however I really feel so fortunate to have gotten to know you and have such a superb good friend. Love you Diogo.”
Jota’s legacy lives on via his teammates
Kelleher’s heartbreaking message is only one of many tributes from former teammates, employees, and followers following the deaths of Jota and his brother in Zamora, Spain.
As reported by BBC Sport, the pair had been travelling in a Lamborghini that suffered a tyre blowout whereas overtaking, left the highway, and caught fireplace.
Jota made 182 appearances for us, scoring 65 objectives, and helped us win the Premier League final season underneath Arne Slot, including to his FA Cup and League Cup triumphs underneath Jurgen Klopp.
This tragedy comes at a time when the membership was within the midst of preparations for subsequent season — however nothing may put together us for this sort of loss and now all footballing issues really feel so trivial.
Kelleher’s phrases will ring a bell with anybody who knew or admired Jota.
It’s clear this isn’t simply the lack of a participant — it’s the lack of a good friend, a teammate, and a deeply liked determine on the coronary heart of Liverpool Soccer Membership.
You’ll be able to view Kelleher’s Jota tribute by way of his Instagram account:
