Diogo Jota: Luis Diaz, Alisson Attend Memorial Service After Missing Funeral of Liverpool Teammate
- Alisson Becker and Luis Diaz attended Diogo Jota's seventh-day memorial service after missing the funeral
- The two stars missed the sendoff held on Saturday, July 5, but were represented by their captain, Virgil van Dijk
- Diaz was blasted after he was reportedly seen hanging out with influencers after his teammate's death
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Alisson Becker and Luis Diaz attended a service for Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota days after missing his funeral last weekend.
Source: Getty Images
Liverpool, led by captain Virgil van Dijk and head coach Arne Slot, attended Jota and his brother Andre Silva's funeral on Saturday, July 5.
Goalkeeper Alisson missed the funeral and explained his reasons, while Diaz faced criticism for reportedly attending a party instead of honouring his teammate at the funeral.
Why were Alisson, Diaz absent from Jota's funeral?
Alisson shared a heartfelt tribute for Jota and his brother, explaining why he wouldn't be able to attend the funeral.
"Usually, I post things that make sense, but today, nothing makes sense! Once again, an ocean separates me from “saying goodbye” to someone I love!" the Brazilian wrote.
"I know that I am well represented by my club mates! To you, my friend @rutecfcardoso14 , just know that you will never walk alone, we will be with you as soon as possible!"
He used a photo of their families together for the moving post.
Meanwhile, Diaz shared a touching tribute hours after his teammate and his brother lost their lives in a tragic car crash in Spain.
"I'm at a loss for words... It hurts in my soul. Not just for what he was on the court, but for the person he was off of it," he wrote on Instagram.
Source: Getty Images
"There are gestures that one never forgets, and Diogo had one with me that will accompany me all my life."
When did Alisson and Luis Diaz attend Diogo Jota's service?
On Wednesday, July 9, Alisson and Diaz joined other footballers and football figures to honour Jota and Silva in a seventh-day mass at the Gondomar Parish Church.
Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa, Andre Horta, Joao Mario, his agent Jorge Mendes, Estoril coach Ian Cathro and the squad from Penafiel, Andra Silva's club, were in attendance. 100 people reportedly gathered to pay their respects.
Liverpool fans and players continue to pay their respects to Jota. They have been laying wreaths of flowers outside Anfield.
The club said they plan to immortalise number 20 for his contribution to their 20th English title.
What next for Liverpool?
The Reds are back for pre-season, with Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson among the first to arrive for training. The players will undergo a series of fitness tests before beginning their preparations for the upcoming season.
The Reds will face Preston North End at Deepdale on Sunday, 13 July, in their first friendly. They will also play two more friendlies in Hong Kong and Japan against AC Milan and Yokohama before returning to England.
They will kick off their season with a clash against Crystal Palace in the Community Shield, followed by the start of their Premier League title defence against Bournemouth on August 15.
Why did Ronaldo miss Diogo Jota's funeral?
In a related story, we reported that Cristiano Ronaldo's sister explained why her brother did not attend Jota's funeral.
Katia Aveiro has strongly defended her brother over the years. She blasted fans who focused on Ronaldo's absence rather than Jota's funeral.
She recalled their father's funeral, which attracted plenty of attention, highlighting that Ronaldo attending Jota's would be chaotic for the family.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
