Diogo Jota’s last Instagram post saw the Liverpool forward celebrate a day he would “never forget” just days before his tragic death. The footballer posted a video of his wedding day on Wednesday. Jota captioned the post: “A day we will never forget,” alongside a heart emoji.
The pictures show the Liverpool star alongside his bride, Rute Cardoso, at their lavish wedding. The couple tied the knot in June after sharing a long-term relationship which began in 2012. They have three children together.
Fans were full of praise and admiration for the couple, but the joy turned to sadness when the news that Jota had been killed in a car crash in Spain. He was just 28.
The Portuguese national football team said they were “devastated” by Jota’s death, adding he was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his teammates and opponents.
The Portuguese Football Federation said Jota died alongside his brother, Andre Silva, who played for FC Penafiel. In a statement, the Federation said: “The Portuguese Football Federation and the entire Portuguese football community are devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva in Spain this morning.”
It offered deepest condolences to the families and friends of both players, as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel. The Portuguese Football Federation has asked UEFA to hold a minute’s silence ahead of the national team’s match against Spain in the Women’s European Championship today.
The Federation said: “We have lost two champions. Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day.”