Wimbledon paid tribute to Diogo Jota after the Liverpool star`s death as Portugal`s Francisco Cabral wore a black ribbon during his doubles match on Friday.
Cabral was allowed to put the ribbon on his shirt sleeve for the second-round tie after the All England Club relaxed its strict all-white dress code to allow tributes to the Portugal forward.
Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva died in a car crash in northern Spain while travelling to catch a ferry to England ahead of the start of pre-season training. The accident came just days after Jota`s wedding to Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children.
“Everything points to the blowout of a tyre while it (the vehicle) was overtaking,” the Civil Guard said in a statement. The central government`s representative in Zamora, Angel Blanco, told reporters the car “was burned out, and they died inside”. Local media published footage showing the charred, mangled remains of what they identified as Jota`s Lamborghini.
Cabral said he was driving to Wimbledon when he heard the news and praised Jota as “an idol, such an icon, such a good person”. “I know what he`s been through, what he conquered through his career and through his life. So he`s just very inspiring for me,” he said after losing with Austrian partner Lucas Miedler against Czech duo Petr Nouza and Patrik Rikl.
“I just wish all the best for his family. I know they have good people around them so I hope they can get through it.”
British doubles player Neal Skupski, a passionate Liverpool fan, had also brought a black armband for his match on Thursday but opted not to wear it. He suggested he may wear one later in the tournament, saying: “Maybe in the next couple of days”.
Jota scored nine goals in all competitions last season as Liverpool cruised to their record-equalling 20th English league title. Capped 49 times by Portugal, Jota moved to England in 2017 with Wolves and earned a £45 million ($62 million) move to Liverpool three years later.
His goalscoring prowess quickly made him a fans` favourite, as he netted 65 times for the Reds in five years and lifted the League Cup and FA Cup in the 2021/22 season. Younger brother Andre played in midfield for FC Penafiel in Portugal`s second tier.
(With AFP inputs)
