Former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has paid an emotional tribute to the late Diogo Jota after his fatal car crash in Spain on Thursday. The Real Madrid right-back, who left the Reds last month, has been left without words after his former teammate's untimely death. Jota, along with his brother Andre, were pronounced dead on Thursday morning after a tragic accident.
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Alexander-Arnold pays tribute to JotaReal Madrid and TAA hold minute of silenceJota and TAA played five years togetherFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Jota and Andre lost their lives in Spain in a tragic car accident in Zamora as they were travelling to Santander to catch a ferry back to the United Kingdom, as the Liverpool star looked forward to preparing for the pre-season under Arne Slot. Alexander-Arnold has now paid tribute to his former teammate as he revealed he wants to 'remember Diogo with a big smile'.
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On Instagram, Alexander-Arnold wrote: "It’s so difficult to find the right words when your head and heart are struggling to accept that someone you care so much about has gone.
"Diogo, your family was your world. They were everything. For Rute, his children, and his parents, all of our hearts are broken. And for Andre as well. Brothers and best friends.
"When it’s less painful, I want to remember Diogo with a big smile. So many laughs and happy moments. He was such a great teammate and a true friend.
"Forever number 20. Rest in peace, Diogo."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Prior to their training session at the Club World Cup, Alexander-Arnold joined his Real Madrid teammates in observing a minute's silence in honour of Jota. For five years, the two were teammates at Liverpool, appearing in 144 games together. Together, Jota and Alexander-Arnold scored ten goals while playing for the team and won multiple honours, including the Premier League this season.
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Alexander-Arnold was one of a number of Jota's current and former teammates who paid tribute to the Anfield favourite. Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk also paid tribute to Jota.