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Diogo Jota's Portugal teammate and close friend Ruben Neves has paid a touching tribute to the late Liverpool forward during the international break.
The former Reds forward and his brother Andre Silva tragically lost their lives in a car accident on July 3, prompting numerous tributes from across the footballing world.
Just over four months later, Neves found himself competing against the Republic of Ireland in Portugal's World Cup qualifier. In the dying moments of the match, he scored a late winner, sparking wild celebrations amongst him and his Portugal team-mates. In the midst of the euphoria, Neves took a moment to remember Jota by kissing the number 21 on his shirt - the number that Jota regularly wore when representing his country.
Neves, who also played alongside Jota at Wolverhampton Wanderers and now plies his trade for Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, then revealed another poignant tribute to his late friend. He rolled down his left sock to unveil a tattoo depicting the pair embracing each other while playing for Portugal, with Jota donning his No.21 shirt.
This goal marked Neves' first for Portugal and came in their first home international match since Jota's passing.
When asked if he felt the goal was destined, Neves responded to Sport TV: "I think so. My first goal for the national team, with this number, couldn't have been better. It was the desire and passion he had to be here with us.
"He [ex-Everton manager and now Portugal manager Roberto Martinez] said that each of us would inherit a little bit of who Diogo was and today was one of those games. A very difficult game, with a team defending extremely low, with practically no space. It had to be this way."
Martinez also paid further tribute to Jota in his post-match interview, insisting Jota's spirit is still running through his team. The ex-Toffees boss said: "I totally agree. They are signs of happiness, we already had that during the September training camp.
"We scored during the 21st minute, against Hungary we conceded in the 21st minute and today [Saturday, against Ireland] Ruben Neves, who changes his jersey, scores with the determination, intelligence and arrival in the area of our Jota.
"For us it is a sign, a joy to feel that Diogo is with the family that is the national team, but also that it is a responsibility to fight for Jota's dream, which is everyone's dream."
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Martinez also added: "We won the Nations League and Jota was part of that success. He's a strength for us, a source of motivation because he wanted to win the World Cup.
"We have a responsibility to fight for the Portuguese people, as always, but we have a responsibility for Diogo, and that's very special."
The outcome puts Portugal on the brink of qualifying for next year's World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. It holds an impeccable record of nine points from three matches in a qualification table that also includes Hungary and Armenia.
Neves wasn't the only one to dedicate a goal to Jota on the day. In the charity match at Stamford Bridge between Chelsea and Liverpool Legends, former Red, Ryan Babel, paid homage by mimicking Jota's clapping celebration he frequently performed while at Anfield.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Mirror by clicking here.
English (US) ·