Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard returned to Anfield on July 11, 2025, to pay a solemn tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, whose lives were tragically lost in a car crash in Spain earlier this month.
Gerrard, joined by members of his Steven Gerrard Academy, laid flowers at a growing memorial outside the Main Stand—now adorned with hundreds of shirts, scarves, banners, and floral arrangements from fans and club members alike. Their quiet moment of reflection added a deeply personal mark to the emotional scene.
The Anfield tribute follows contributions from numerous Liverpool figures: current players such as Dominik Szoboszlai, Milos Kerkez, and Armin Pecsi; former Reds including Andy Robertson and Adam Lallana; and club officials like CEO Billy Hogan. Fans, rivals, and even supporters overseas have joined in solidarity—leaving tributes at Liverpool stores in Dublin and Belfast, and displaying messages like “Death took you away from us, but you will stay alive in our hearts” from fans in Iraq.
The public tribute precedes Liverpool’s first post-tragedy fixture on Sunday, July 13, a pre‑season friendly at Deepdale against Preston North End. Broadcast on ITV and Liverpool’s All Red Video platform, the match will begin with a rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” a minute’s silence, and players from both teams wearing black armbands. Preston’s captain will lay a wreath at kickoff, and fans will receive a special memorial programme in memory of both brothers.
Across football, the loss of Jota and André Silva has reverberated deeply. Jota—a 28‑year‑old Liverpool and Portugal forward who helped secure the 2024‑25 Premier League title and earned 49 caps—married his longtime partner Rute Cardoso just 11 days before the fatal crash on July 3, 2025, in Zamora, Spain. André, aged 26, played for Penafiel in Portugal’s second division. Their sudden passing has prompted condolences from football luminaries and governing bodies alike, including UEFA’s tribute during Women’s Euro 2025 matches.
No comments:
Post a Comment