Portugal and PSG star Vitinha makes emotional World Cup vow to Diogo Jota

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha has paid tribute to Diogo Jota, revealing the Portugal squad are determined to win this summer’s World Cup in memory of the Liverpool striker

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha has paid tribute to Diogo Jota, revealing the Portugal squad are determined to win this summer’s World Cup in memory of the Liverpool striker.

Jota died in early July with his brother, Andre Silva, following a car crash in northern Spain as the Reds’ No.20 was making his way back to England for pre-season training.

Since his sudden and shock passing, Liverpool have retired their No.20 shirt in honour of Jota and a memorial has been set up at Anfield for tributes to be paid to the popular Portuguese, with the area attended by a whole host of visiting clubs so far this season.

OPINION

Ian Doyle

Jota married long-term partner and the mother of his three children, Rute Cardoso, in a ceremony just days before his death and his Seleccao colleague Vitinha has explained how the national side are now aiming to win become world champions in North America and Mexico this summer to dedicate it to their former team-mate.

“It’s difficult to talk about it,” Vitinha told CNN Sports after winning the Best Midfielder Award at the recent Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, which was a ceremony attended by Jota’s parents Isabel and Joaquim to accept the ‘Special Award’ on behalf of their son.

“Nobody wants to be in this kind of situation. It was a sad and tragic loss for everyone.

“Mainly, I imagine what it is like for the parents, for the wife, for the children, that’s what I think about the most when I think about him.

“We feel this and we want to win it, not just because it’s a World Cup and it’s everybody’s dream, but for him as well.”

Liverpool’s recent clash with Jota’s other Premier League club, Wolverhampton Wanderers, saw his two sons Dinis and Duarte attend as mascots.