Joao Felix pays emotional tribute to late Portugal Team-Mate Diogo Jota

Joao Felix has paid a heartfelt tribute to his Portugal team-mate and close friend, Diogo Jota, who tragically died at the age of 28 in a car crash in northern Spain on July 3, alongside his brother, Andre Silva.

Just days before the accident, Jota had married Rute Cardoso, the mother of his three children, making the news even more devastating for his family and fans. Over the weekend, the Premier League honoured the late Liverpool forward with touching tributes across several matches.

Felix, who attended the funeral of the Jota brothers, spoke emotionally about his bond with the late striker. “Diogo to me was one of my best friends in the national team, he was always part of our mini group in the national team, those of us who were always together. I knew his family, especially his parents, an incredible family,” he said.

Speaking from Hong Kong, where he is preparing for the Saudi Super Cup with his new club Al Nassr, Felix added: “I think he will forever be a part of football history, he will remain in the hearts of those who were already close to him. After that day, every time we go on the field we will remember him and play in part for him.”

The 25-year-old attacker recently joined Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr in a deal worth up to £43.7 million ($58 million) from Chelsea, and he is expected to earn around $10 million annually. Felix has previously featured for Benfica, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and AC Milan.