Olympic champions such as Portugal’s national team captain Cristiano Ronaldo, Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal, and American basketball superstar LeBron James have posted messages to mourn the unfortunately deceased Jota brothers.
On Thursday, July 3 (Tuesday), Portuguese football player Diogo Jota and his brother Andre, also a professional player, suffered a serious car accident in Spain, and both unfortunately passed away. This bad news triggered heavy condolences in the world sports world. Jota is only 28 years old. Ten days ago, he just entered the marriage hall with his partner Rut Cardoso, whom he had been in love with for many years.
Jota’s club Liverpool issued a statement saying it was an “unthinkable tragedy”; the Portuguese national team also said that the country had lost “two championships”.
Ronaldo, the captain of the Portuguese men’s football team at the 2004 Athens Olympics, posted on social media, expressing his shock and grief. Just last month, he and Jota won the UEFA Champions League with Portugal.
Ronaldo wrote: “This is simply unacceptable. We are still fighting side by side with the national team, and you have just gotten married.”
“I extend my deepest condolences to your family, your wife and your children, may they gain strength. I know you will always guard them. May you rest in peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.”
Two Olympic gold medalists and Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal also posted on social media: “Such sad and painful news. In this difficult time, I give all my love, care and support to his wife, children, family and friends.”
Three-time Olympic basketball champion and Liverpool minority shareholder LeBron James wrote in response to the eulogy of Liverpool Club: “I pray for the people he loves, and I hope you will be guided and protected during this time. YNWA, JOTA (You will never walk alone, Jota).”
UEFA announced that it will hold a minute of silence before the Women’s Football Cup in Portugal against Spain that night, and set up a silence session in all European Cup matches in the next 48 hours to mourn the death of the Jota brothers.
