Raul Jimenez of Mexico honored Diogo Jota during the Concacaf Gold Cup final, recreating the signature celebration of his late friend and former teammate following the tragic passing of Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a car accident just days earlier.
Jimenez scored in the 27th minute against the US men’s national team, bringing Mexico back from an early deficit. After his goal, he celebrated with a folds of his legs on the grass, donning a jersey that displayed Jota’s name and number, placing it reverently in front of him. The players also mimicked a video game scene after Jota’s love of gaming.
Jota and Jimenez played together for Wolverhampton Wanderers from 2018 to 2019, during Jimenez’s challenging season before Jota transferred to Liverpool. Jimenez shared fond memories of Jota ahead of the Gold Cup final, stating, “He was a great teammate. We shared many beautiful moments that were key to what Wolves achieved.”
Jimenez is among many athletes worldwide paying homage to Jota with similar celebrations. This follows goals from Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe amid their own tributes. Nashville SC’s Hany Mukhtar led a similar tribute during MLS action, while former Liverpool player Linsora Babazid honored Jota during the Women’s Africa Cup’s Sunday match.
28-year-old Jota and 25-year-old Silva perished in a car accident in Spain on Thursday. Jota, a player for Liverpool and the Portuguese national team, achieved Premier League titles and UEFA Nations League victories before his untimely end. Their funeral took place on Saturday in Gondomar, Portugal.
### Fan Take:
This news resonates deeply with soccer fans, not just for the tragedy but for how the community embraces and supports one another in times of loss. Jimenez’s tribute highlights the profound connections players share, reminding us of the human side of the sport and the legacies athletes leave behind.
