UFC fighter and Liverpool fan Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett has paid tribute to Diogo Jota in an emotional message after the forward's untimely passing.
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Jota tragically killed in car accidentBrother Andre also passedPimblett with touching words to honour legacyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
UFC star Pimblett spoke fondly of Jota and the memories he will leave behind, while sending out his support to the player's family at this difficult time. In an interview with Sky Sports News, Pimblett spoke for all Liverpool fans when he expressed the love he had for Jota the player, but also the man.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Jota and brother Andre Silva tragically died in the early hours of Thursday morning, after a car accident in Cernadilla, Spain. Jota was just 28, while younger brother and fellow professional footballer Silva was 25. The footballing world has been mourning the loss of two men taken far too young and tributes have been flooding in from teammates, opponents and fans alike.
WHAT PIMBLETT SAID
Pimblett said in the touching video: "It's heartbreaking. He's got three little kids there and a wife, that he needed to look after. Tragically, he's not here. Even more so, to his mother, who has just lost two sons at the exact same time. No parent should ever bury their children.
"He's part of the Liverpool family forever. I know that when we come back for our first game of the season at Anfield, [Jota's chant] will be getting sung for a whole 90 minutes. He will never be forgotten. I've seen people saying that the number 20 shirt should be retired, and I wouldn't fully be against it, to be honest. He's an absolute legend. It's very fitting that his last goal for us was a winner in a Merseyside derby."
Getty ImagesTRIBUTES FOR JOTA
Diogo and Andre's funeral will take place in Gondomar, Porto, in their native Portugal on Saturday morning, where loved ones will get to say their goodbyes and celebrate the lives of the Portuguese brothers. A wake is also taking place today (Friday). Mourning fans will continue to honour the legacies of the two men for months and years to come.
