Soccer paid a heartwarming tribute to Diogo Jota at Monday evening’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, with the Liverpool star’s spouse Rute Cardoso watching on on the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.
The sport continues to be in mourning after Anfield hero Jota was tragically killed alongside his brother, Andre Silva, in a automotive accident on July 3 when travelling by means of northern Spain.
Jota had married childhood sweetheart Rute simply 11 days earlier than his loss of life. The pair share three younger kids.
And on Monday evening, Rute wore an ethereal white robe as Jota and Andre Silva have been remembered on the star-studded bash in Paris, the place teammates Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker have been visibly moved by the emotional tribute.
‘This summer season the soccer household was left in shock after we discovered of the passing of Diogo Jota, who misplaced his life alongside his brother, Andre Silva,’ mentioned Kate Scott, who was internet hosting the ceremony alongside Netherlands legend Ruud Gullit.
Diogo Jota’s spouse Rute Cardoso attended the star-studded Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris
Jota and his brother Andre Silva have been remembered throughout the awards evening on Monday
Jota’s Liverpool teammates Virgil van Dijk (left) and Alisson Becker (centre) have been in attendance
Gullit added: ‘Jota was a fan favorite who gave all the things for his membership and his nation, and was cherished by his teammates, and supporters. Collectively, allow us to bear in mind them.
A video reel exhibiting a number of the greatest footballing moments from each stars was then proven within the theatre, with van Dijk and Becker trying emotional as they applauded alongside the remainder of the viewers.
‘We do know that their household are literally right here with us this night so we’d identical to to say we’re so sorry in your loss,’ Scott mentioned.
Jota’s spouse was pictured on the purple carpet carrying a white gown forward of the ceremony.
Different notable names from Liverpool, together with supervisor Arne Slot, additionally attended the occasion.
Within the weeks following Jota’s passing, tributes have been paid from throughout the footballing world – together with from his former golf equipment Liverpool and Wolves, who celebrated his life at first of the Premier League season.
Jota was a preferred determine amongst his fellow footballers, with Everton star Beto revealing how his fellow Portuguese helped him settle in Liverpool when he joined the Toffees in 2023.
Beto was among the many Everton delegation which laid flowers outdoors Anfield following the information of Jota’s loss of life.
And the striker, who like Jota was born in Portugal, mentioned the late Liverpool ahead had despatched him an Instagram message shortly after his arrival within the metropolis following his £25.8million transfer from Torino.
Jota tragically handed away on July 3 in northern Spain, 11 days after marrying Rute
The pair have been childhood sweethearts and share three kids collectively
The message from Jota learn: ”I am joyful for you. Should you want something within the metropolis, I can assist you. Simply give me a shout.’
‘Of all the massive names from Portugal that play in England, he was the primary one to textual content me,’ Beto mentioned. ‘The day I signed or the subsequent day.
‘You’ve Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes and he was the primary man, the primary particular person.
‘We weren’t pals however, you understand, whenever you play towards Portuguese gamers and all the things, we usually cease, we communicate a bit of bit.
‘After each recreation that we play towards Liverpool, we speak a bit of bit. I ask, “How is all the things?” Not simply because he was Portuguese, however he was a very, very nice particular person. Humble. And you’ll see what everybody says about him.
‘The day that factor occurred, I used to be at dwelling in Portugal. That day I might journey to Manchester to come back right here for the pre-season. And I used to be shocked. I used to be shocked as a result of Diogo was a very good man.’
The 27-year-old mentioned he noticed a ‘togetherness’ between Liverpool and Everton within the wake of Jota’s passing.
‘If I’m going to Anfield on a Saturday they usually boo me it is regular.
The world of soccer has paid tribute to Jota, with Rute attending Wolves and Liverpool
‘They don’t seem to be going to be pondering: ‘Oh, Beto is an efficient man as a result of he went to put flowers for Diogo.’ It isn’t the identical.
‘However when it issues, when it was about life, they have been there as a result of they’re human.
‘In fact, I’ve respect for Diogo and the Liverpool group.
‘ I’m going there to play and to win and I cannot attempt to have any motion that reveals them disrespect as a result of once I went there, they confirmed me respect.’
