Mohamed Salah details emotional reaction to Diogo Jota’s death

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has opened up about one of the most emotional moments of his career, revealing how he was left in tears during a tribute to his late teammate Diogo Jota. The Egyptian forward admitted he was unprepared for the wave of emotion that hit him at Anfield, where thousands of fans sang Jota’s name in unison after Liverpool’s opening-day victory over Bournemouth.

Speaking on the Men In Blazers podcast, Salah explained that the occasion was unlike anything he had experienced before. The connection between the supporters, the club, and Jota’s memory overwhelmed him, leaving him visibly shaken as he clapped toward the Kop. “I didn’t expect it,” Salah said. “The song, the atmosphere—it all came suddenly, and I couldn’t hold back.”

Jota’s death in July sent shockwaves through the footballing world. The 28-year-old, along with his brother André Silva, tragically lost his life in a car accident in Portugal. The news devastated the Liverpool dressing room, where Jota was not only a talented forward but also a deeply respected friend and teammate.

The club moved swiftly to honor his legacy. Liverpool officially retired Jota’s No. 20 shirt, a gesture that underlined just how much he meant to the team and its supporters. For Salah, the gesture carried special weight. Having shared the frontline with Jota across multiple seasons, their bond was forged not just in training sessions and matches but in the quiet, everyday moments of footballing life.

Shortly after the tragedy, Salah had shared a message on social media describing himself as “truly lost for words.” Now, months later, the pain is still raw. He admitted that while players are often seen as professionals trained to control their emotions, moments like these break through that barrier. “You can’t prepare for something like this,” he said. “It stays with you.”

For the Anfield faithful, the Bournemouth tribute was a cathartic moment. The singing of Jota’s name, echoing throughout the stands, was as much a collective farewell as it was a celebration of his life. Fans recalled his knack for scoring crucial goals, his relentless energy on the pitch, and his humility off it. Salah’s tears mirrored the feelings of thousands who also struggled to accept that Jota was gone far too soon.

Jota’s family has also been at the heart of Liverpool’s support. The club announced plans to continue helping his wife and children, and Chelsea even pledged to donate a portion of their Club World Cup earnings to the Jota and Silva families. Football, often divided by fierce rivalries, showed its unique ability to unite in grief.

For Salah, coping with the loss has been about finding strength in memory. He described Jota as “a calm presence” who always brought positivity to the dressing room. “Even when things weren’t going well, he had this smile, this calmness that lifted everyone,” Salah reflected.

As Liverpool push forward this season under Arne Slot, Jota’s absence is still keenly felt. On the pitch, his versatility and sharp finishing are missed. Off the pitch, his kindness and camaraderie have left a void that cannot be filled. Yet Salah believes Jota’s spirit will remain part of Liverpool’s journey: “We play for him now. Every goal, every win, it’s for him.”

Grief in football often reveals the human side of the game, and Salah’s vulnerability has struck a chord with fans worldwide. Supporters across continents—from England to Nigeria—have shared how Jota touched their lives, whether through his playing style or his humility as a person. Salah’s words reminded them that footballers, too, carry deep scars when tragedy strikes.

As the season progresses, tributes to Jota will continue at Anfield. The retired No. 20 shirt will hang as a constant reminder of a player taken too soon, while Salah and his teammates carry his memory into every match. For Salah personally, the tears shed in front of the Kop may have been painful, but they were also healing—proof of how much Jota meant, not just as a teammate, but as a brother in football.