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Kostas Tsimikas scored for Greece in a 3-1 defeat to Scotland on Thursday, and used his celebration to pay tribute to Diogo Jota and George Baldock.
Tsikimas opened the scoring at Hampden Park before Scotland completed a stunning turnaround with goals from Ryan Christie, Lewis Ferguson, and Lyndon Dykes. Tsikimas has yet to score for Liverpool, but has impressed since joining AS Roma on loan.
The Greek full-back recorded an assist in the Europa League for the Italian club and now has his first international goal. Tsimikas held up two fingers after scoring, and explained after the game that it was a tribute to Jota and Baldock.
"The goal I scored is dedicated to my close friend, Diogo Jota, of course, to Baldock, and also to those who are no longer with us," Tsimikas said. Jota, who joined Liverpool in the same transfer window as Tsikimas, tragically passed away earlier this year in a car accident. Jota's brother, Andre Silva, also died in the accident.
They even made their Liverpool debut together on Sept. 24, 2020, in a 7-2 win over Lincoln City in the third round of the League Cup. Tsimikas suffered another tragedy last year, as his Greece teammate Baldock was found dead at his home.
Baldock was born in England but had Greek ancestry through his grandmother. He made his international debut in 2022 and moved to Athens permanently in 2024 after signing a three-year deal with Panathinaikos.
Tsimikas has endured an emotional 12 months, but his first goal for Greece was a huge milestone. However, it was overshadowed by Scotland's comeback during the World Cup qualifier.
"There is disappointment. We lost the game through our own hands," Tsimikas said. "We quickly accepted the equalizer, and it took us from under us. Football is unfair and is judged on the details.
"We knew that Scotland is strong in the goal and we should have been more careful in these phases. But everything is in the game, and we have to accept what happened."
Tsimikas' celebration wasn't his only tribute to Jota, as the Roma defender got a tattoo on his hand in memory of the Liverpool forward. "Wish you were here," the tattoo reads on his hand, alongside Jota’s No. 20 jersey.
After Jota's death, Tsimikas also penned an emotional tribute on Instagram. "Oh he wears the number 20 and his name is Diogo," Tsimikas wrote. We moved to the club in the same period.
"We were the new boys in the city. We've shared and celebrated some of our best moments of our careers together. Before one of our last ones, you've said to me 'you cross, I score' and that's what happened. We laughed and we talked about lots.
"You were a special player, a special guy, a true legend, Diogo. You'll always be remembered and always be loved. My heart and my prayers are with your Rute, your boys, your little girl, your family and everyone who loved and waited for you both to go home.
"You and your brother Andre will be missed forever. We love you, Diogo. YNWA."
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