Jose Mourinho has joined the growing list of players and managers paying tribute to Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, whose sudden passing has cast a deep shadow over the football world.
Jota’s death has sparked an outpouring of grief and solidarity, with tributes pouring in from teammates, fans, and figures across the global game. His teammate Mohamed Salah made an emotional promise to honour Jota’s memory, vowing that the team will carry his spirit into every game.
Speaking at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone, Mourinho spoke glowingly of Jota and the deep sorrow surrounding his loss.
“When people leave this world, normally we all say ‘such a nice guy’. Diogo was really a nice guy,” Mourinho told Sky Sports. “He had my agent [Jorge Mendes], so of course I knew a lot about him. And people in Liverpool know what I’m saying is true. He is a kid who—nothing was easy for him. He had to fight to arrive where he arrived.”
“Three kids without a dad, a young woman without her husband, the parents lose both sons… it’s crazy. It’s difficult to understand. Maybe one day we will understand, but not now.”
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Drawing from his own painful experience in football, Mourinho reflected on how moments like this can bring teams even closer together.
“It happened with me many, many years ago when I was working at Porto with Mr Robson,” he continued. “One of our boys, a loved boy, died in a car crash. Instead of the boys suffering alone, it was like the group suffered together and tried to fight for his memory. It was a boy, Rui Filipe, and we were champions, I think, for him.”
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Mourinho believes Liverpool will find similar strength in unity.
“In Liverpool, they’re going to suffer together. The club is a fantastic club. I think they are deciding to take away the shirt number 20. At Anfield, he will always be part of the family. And maybe they lose a player, but maybe they win even more soul than what they have.”
“When people leave this world, normally we all say ‘such a nice guy’. Diogo was really a nice guy”
AdvertisementJose Mourinho has paid tribute to Diogo Jota saying he will always be a part of the Liverpool family. pic.twitter.com/IGTwpP4mPM
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 4, 2025
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