Thiago Alcantara was one of the legends who took part in the charity match between Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund, during which there was a minute of applause in memory of Diogo Jota.
Thiago Alcantara was visibly emotional (Image: David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Former Liverpool star Thiago Alcantara broke down in tears during a tribute to Diogo Jota. Thiago, 34, was playing in a charity match at Anfield on Saturday.
The former Reds midfielder arrived at Liverpool with Jota in the summer of 2020 and they spent the next four years as team-mates. Jota tragically passed away in July last year at the age of 28 in a car accident.
The game was stopped in the 20th minute of Saturday’s match between Liverpool legends and Germany’s Borussia Dortmund amid thunderous applause. Thiago was clearly emotional and was seen wiping tears on his shirt.
After Jota’s death, Thiago paid tribute to him on Instagram. The former Spain international, who also attended Jota’s funeral, wrote: “I love you brother.” “You will be with us forever.”
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Saturday was the first game for the legend at Anfield since Jota’s death. Jurgen Klopp returned to Anfield as assistant to Kenny Dalglish, helping to coach a team that also included Steven Gerrard and Sami Hyypia. Thiago’s goal gave Liverpool a 1-0 lead at the half. Jay Spearing then doubled the Reds’ lead with a long-range shot and Dortmund hit back to make it 2-2.
Earlier this week, James Milner became the latest former team-mate to pay tribute to Jota. Speaking on the podcast The Rest is Football, Milner said: “We were pretty close.
“When you have your teammates, and that team spirit and the amount of time you spend together. He was one of us right away, always sat at our table, and was such a great guy.
“He was interested in English football and British culture and could joke around. And we could argue and joke around. We were always messing around, we were both very stubborn and we had a lot of fun getting each other involved. I would often train with him when we were together.”
Diogo Jota was ‘much loved’ (Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“Words can’t describe it. His family. He was so loved as a player and as a man. He was one of those guys you could sit down with and get along with and laugh with.
“Very underrated as a player. He was my favorite player as a fan watching football. He was very smart with his body, even when he wasn’t receiving the ball, he would block someone and give the next player time to touch the ball. Body position, rotation, touch, finishing. He was very smart.”
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