Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool are determined to honour the memory of Diogo Jota every single day, as the club returns to Anfield tonight for the first time since the forward’s tragic passing.
Diogo Jota and his younger brother André Silva died in a road accident in Spain on July 3, 2025. The 28-year-old Liverpool star had been travelling with André, 25, when their car veered off the A-52 motorway near Zamora during an overtaking attempt and burst into flames. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.
Tonight’s double-header against Athletic Club marks Liverpool’s first home appearance since the tragedy, and Van Dijk used his matchday programme notes to share the emotion within the squad and their promise to carry on Jota’s legacy.
It has been a very challenging time, the captain wrote.
First and foremost for Diogo and Andre’s family, for Rute and the kids. They are the people who must always come first in all of this.
AdvertisementWe will never forget Diogo, of course, but we just have to try to honour his memory. That’s what we try to do each and every day.
Jota had married his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso, just days before the accident. They had three children together. His brother André, a midfielder for Portuguese side Penafiel, also died in the crash.
Van Dijk admitted it still feels “surreal” as the squad tries to return to football, but said the unity within the club has helped them cope.
The club is very supportive in this, and that has been very important for all of us… I think the way everything has been handled so far has been the best way.
That’s also why it is very important that we honour and carry on his legacy, not only for now and the next couple of months, but for as long as we can, because that is what he deserves.
Advertisement
Liverpool players attended the funeral in Gondomar, Portugal, on July 5. Floral tributes shaped in the numbers 20 and 30, representing Diogo and André, were laid at the service, while the club has since retired Jota’s No. 20 shirt across all teams in a historic gesture.
Tonight’s matches are expected to be emotional, and Van Dijk said the team will take strength from the fans inside Anfield and across the world.
We are all in this together, we all have to go through this together, and we will. We will honour Diogo today, and in the future also. He will always be with us.
The support from the fans, and from the football world in general, has been incredible. That’s a beautiful thing.
As Liverpool prepares to kick off their new season, Van Dijk ended his message with a reminder of what matters.
Life can be short and it can be incredibly difficult at times. We all have to live it, enjoy it as much as we can and try to keep this world the best place possible.
So today, let’s honour him, let’s enjoy the games and let’s do it together. It’s good to see you all again.
