James Milner opens up on heartbreaking Diogo Jota death

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James Milner and Diogo Jota were teammates for three years at Liverpool, and the pair became close friends and won trophies together with the Reds

James Milner spoke fondly about Diogo Jota(Image: The Rest Is Football)

James Milner spoke fondly of late former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota, describing him as "so underrated as a player" and praising qualities as a person.

Milner and Jota played alongside each other at Anfield for three years between 2020 and 2023, and struck up a close friendship.

Tragedy struck the soccer world last summer when Jota died in a car accident on July 3, prompting a global outpouring of grief.

Milner paid tribute to Jota at the time, saying that the death of the Portugal international and his brother "devastated" him.

Now, in a new interview with Gary Lineker on The Stick to Football Podcast,

"We were pretty close," Milner said. "When you have teammates, and that team spirit, and the amount of time you spend together. He was one of us straight away, always sat on our table, he was such a great guy.

"Bought into English football and English culture, and could have a joke. And boy could we argue and joke!

"We were always having a mess-around, we were both so stubborn, had so many fun times winding each other up. Used to work with him in training when you're in twos.

Milner and Jota celebrate Liverpool's FA Cup win in 2020(Image: 2022 Liverpool FC)

"You can't put into words. His family. As a player, as a guy, so loved. He was one of those guys who could sit with anyone and get along and have a laugh with him.

"So underrated as a player. He was my favourite player to watch as a fan watching football. He was so clever with how he'd use his body, even when he wasn't receiving the ball he'd block someone so the next guy had time on the ball. Body positions, rolls, touches, finishes. He was so clever.

"I used to say to Webby (Brighton teammate Adam Webster) all the time, 'he's so good', and he'd respond, 'yeah Milly, you told me last week!'"