Virgil van Dijk made promise to Diogo Jota's wife and children ahead of Liverpool honor

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• Virgil Van Dijk

Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva were killed in a car crash in Spain in the summer, with the world of football paying tribute to the Liverpool forward

Diogo Jota and Virgil van Dijk(Image: Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk pledged his support to Diogo Jota's family following the forward's heartbreaking death at the tender age of 28. Jota and his brother Andre Silva tragically lost their lives in a car accident in Spain earlier this year.

The brothers were travelling near the Zamora region of northern Spain when their Lamborghini experienced a tyre blowout whilst overtaking another vehicle, causing it to veer off the road. The football community paid homage to Jota, with Van Dijk sharing his own poignant message.

It comes as Jota's sons prepare to walk out with the mascots for Liverpool's game against the Portuguese star's former club Wolves this weekend, with Jota moving to Anfield from the Premier League side.

Taking to Instagram, Van Dijk penned: "Man, I can't believe it, I don't wanna believe it. Absolutely devastated and in total disbelief. What a human being, what a player, but most importantly what an unbelievable family man.

"You meant so much to all of us and you always will! For your family to lose two sons, a husband and a father is just unimaginable. So cruel and unfair. My heart is breaking for all of your beautiful family, for Rute and for your kids.

"I promise you that in these difficult times and beyond we will always be there for your family. A champion forever, number 20 forever. It's been a privilege to have stood by your side on the pitch, and to have been your friend off it."

"We will miss you beyond words and never forget you. Your legacy will live on, we will make sure of it! Rest in perfect peace Diogo and Andre."

Jota tied the knot with his long-term partner Rute Cardoso a mere 11 days before the tragic incident, and the couple have three children together. He had also been present at the wedding of his close friend and former teammate Jose Sa just five days prior to the accident.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot remembered Jota in his program notes ahead of the game against Wolves.

“It is not my place to tell them where they should look for comfort – if that is even possible – but I can only hope that the feeling of love and affection that Diogo still generates brings them some solace," he wrote.

Tributes were left outside Anfield in memory of Diogo Jota(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

“The sense of loss will be particularly strong on Saturday, of course, as it will be the first time that Diogo’s two English teams will meet since his tragic passing.

“Like us, Wolves were clearly very affected by the loss of such a special player and person so my thoughts continue to be with them also.”