02/10/2025
THANK YOU LADS FOR THE MEMORIES AND GOOD TIMES.… BUT, THE SHOW MUST GO ON!!!!
Had to get it off my chest!!
It’s been more than a while now, since the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a car accident, and as fans, some of us are still not fully gotten over it. So, one can only imagine the trajectory of pain both their loved ones, close friends and team-mates would be suffering, from the void both have left behind. Can’t say much about Andre Silva, as never knew much about him, but when it comes to Diogo Jota, as LFC and PL fans, some of us were following him regularly and loved his humble & down-to-earth personality, on & off the pitch. Hence, watching the kind of tributes pouring in till this date for both, from everyone around the Football & rest of the Sports World is truly overwhelming. The lad joined the club in 2020, wore the jersey No. 20 and helped us win that Title no. 20!! I still remember, he did his own joining day Transfer media coverage to Liverpool FC. Because, no media was there probably due to COVID restrictions or may be because it wasn’t a high profile transfer. He said in his first interview, “The fans can count on him, because he is one of us now!” And, boy… he did lived up to the expectations immediately from the first game.
Me as an Individual, someone who has a very practical approach towards life and understands the unpredictability of it on everyday basis; somehow is still unable to digest the reality about non-existence of Premier League’s one of the most underrated baller in recent times. At first, when the news broke out about the incident, I was hoping that it could be a case of false reporting or mistaken identities. But, came to senses after watching the news everywhere for next 2 days. Most of us have watched him only on TV and other online platforms, but it still feels like one of your closest pals have left this world. He was absolutely on top of everything in his personal and professional life, with a brighter future in most of the roles in journey ahead. Unfortunately, life had some other plans, nobody could understand!
Yes! I know, this is not the first time, an athlete has tragically passed away in sports. There are more than a few in the past as well. A few names I remember are Christian Atsu, Emiliano Sala, Jose Antonio Reyes, Kobe Bryant and Phillip Hughes. But, sometimes you are emotionally more connected to an athlete because of certain special qualities you relate to. And, as a football fan, I was an admirer of Diogo Jota since his Wolverhampton days. Probably, the only player I was following closely apart from Luis Suarez, who played for another club, even before joining Liverpool FC. His FIFA gaming skills, jersey no.20 and that iconic FIFA gamer celebration after scoring goals, made him even more of a special player for me. Probably, not many fans know that, Diogo had also completed his UEFA-B coaching license and could have went on to become a Coach in future. In addition, a strong and vocal advocate for Women's Sports. And, an ideal FIFA player in real life football as well. Not gonna lie! I was actually happy when Jota won the invitational e-PL Final against LFC’s Trent in Covid-2020 period. And, sometimes you could kind of sense that FIFA like antiques in his on-field gameplay as well.
I still remember the Home game against Newcastle in 23/24 season, where he completely changed the game in our favor after coming on as a substitute, along with few others. NUFC’s goalkeeper Dúbravka had channeled his inner Manuel Neuer that day. I was laughing my *ss off, after watching that Diogo Jota’s delayed dive in the box for Penalty and completely knowing that, he was also trying to get Dúbravka sent-off with a RED Card. His Firmino like goal against Arsenal in 21/22 season and a similar one, which was his last in Merseyside derby game last season. That first touch header against Forrest to level the difficult away game at Nottingham. The UCL hat-trick in a game away at Atlanta in 20/21, where he got injured and I was literally fuming at (Klopp) Manager’s decision even before the game, as he played most of our first team squad at a tough location rather than protecting key players for long term, in what was a really weird season for many reasons. But, the best memory is of course that iconic injury time goal and FIFA celebration against Tottenham in 4-3 win at Anfield. And, I was not really happy with Jordan Henderson for interrupting Jota’s FIFA Joystick celebration. Should have let the lad have his iconic moment in peace. And, lastly… never seen another player similar to his height in recent times, scoring some of those amazing Headers. Truly underrated!!
But now, all those great moments will forever be memories with a pinch of sadness. Having said that, as fans… are we eating well? YES. Are we having a laugh? YES. Have we continued with our daily routine lives? YES!! But, sometimes there is a bit of sadness in these things. And, it’s those quiet moments in the crowd, and also when you are alone; sometimes you start thinking and questioning the incident and events that occurred. Because, the very thing that kept you up in difficult moments, is now the reason of a little bitterness for some period. Now, just put yourself in the shoes of his club and country teammates, and you might get a little understanding of what every one of them would be going through. You can see it and feel it visibly with players like Salah, Van Dijk, Robertson, Nunez and few others. And, maybe it could be even more difficult for some of new players coming to the club, because the environment will be a little awkward and probably not entirely positive till some of his old team pals completely get over it.
Yes! Probably, entire Sports World expects these high performance professional athletes to perform week-in week-out, despite some of the most difficult circumstances or tragedies like passing away of a family member or a team-mate. But, we all have to understand that, end of the day they are also normal human beings consisting flesh and bones, filled with emotions like us. And tragic events like these can affect their on and off the field appearances for a long period of time. Sometimes, positively and sometimes negatively as well. Unfortunately, in modern day world, Sport is no longer just the Sport it used to be. It’s a profitable show-business for all the stakeholders involved and it cannot be paused or stopped for tragedies like these. Also, it’s sad to see a small set of rival fans mocking this tragedy. Unfortunately, we have to live with that. Because, you cannot change the mentality of some of these sick people. On the other hand, some of the LFC fans and others are expecting that, Team-mates of Diogo should use this as an extra fuel or motivation, and win everything to pay him Tribute, with all the silverware in current season. This is also not okay! I mean… do these people think, that winning everything is that easy? Did some of these people even played any competitive sports in their lives, before opening their mouths and burdening the Players/Manager with these unnecessary expectations? If, it was that easy…… everybody would have done it!!
The best way to support your team, is not having any unrealistic expectations from them, in situations like these. When you go to games or watch it online, just cheer for your Team unconditionally, with all your heart and let them play freely. Let them express themselves to remember and honour their beloved team-mate, who might be watching and cheering for them, from the Sky above. Enjoy each game as it comes! WIN, Draw or lose… we are all together in this for Diogo & Andre! And, if it’s supposed to happen… it will happen. But, if not… don’t get disappointed or mad at your Team and Manager. I have also played sports as an athlete, growing up and I can tell you for a fact that every day, every game is not the same. Some days or some games, athletes will have the motivation to do it…. sometimes, they won’t! Because, they might feel overwhelmed with the emotions and won’t be able to perform at their Best. And, that’s completely alright!
Unfortunately, not everyone…. But some fans will definitely agree and understand it. You work at a company or an organization, and after tragic events like these, some days you perform well and some days don’t, because of overwhelming memories, breaking your focus and concentration. It’s exactly the same for these high performance athletes. Don't expect them to perform magic or wonders, every time they step onto that football field this season. Probably, every game in the first few months of the season, there will be banners, posters, tributes, and specially in 20th minute of every game, which can be pretty overwhelming for Diogo's team-mates on the pitch. But, those heavy emotions will eventually fade away, as the season progresses, and players will get back to their benchmark best. Till then, please keep your horses calm and don't overreact to every dropped point, missed opportunity or a defeat.
So, all we can say is, Thank you lads for the beautiful memories and good times….. But, The Show Must Go On!!
Rest in peace Diogo and Andre! The Streets of PL and Football world will never forget!! FOREVER20💔🖤
- From an average Football & Liverpool FC fan!
