Wimbledon has paid a heartfelt tribute to late Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, following his tragic death in a car accident in Spain.
Portuguese tennis player Francisco Cabral wore a black ribbon during his doubles match on Friday in memory of the 28-year-old footballer. The All England Club made a rare exception to its traditional all-white dress policy, allowing Cabral to attach the ribbon to his shirt sleeve during his second-round appearance.
Jota and his brother, André Silva, died in a fatal crash in northern Spain while en route to catch a ferry to the UK for pre-season training. The devastating accident occurred just days after Jota’s wedding to his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso, with whom he shared three children.
Speaking after his match alongside Austrian partner Lucas Miedler, Cabral described Jota as a national hero and personal role model.
“He was such an icon, such a great person,” Cabral said. “Knowing what he achieved and the kind of person he was he inspired many of us. I just hope his family finds strength and support during this time.”
The tribute resonated across the Wimbledon grounds, with British doubles player and devoted Liverpool fan Neal Skupski also acknowledging the loss. Skupski revealed he had brought a black armband for his Thursday match but chose not to wear it, adding that he may do so in the coming days.
Jota’s passing has left a profound mark on both the sports and football communities, with tributes pouring in from across the globe as fans and athletes mourn the loss of a talented player and beloved family man.
