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Island's Portuguese community mourns Jota death

Chris Craddock
BBC Jersey communities reporter
BBC Tiago is standing in a car showroom, wearing a white polo shirt with the logo 'SEARS-JE Since 1993' on the left chest. Behind him are several cars, including a blue one on the left and a white one on the right. A circular sign on the wall reads 'GEARHOUSE' with a car graphic above it.BBC
"Honestly it has been really sad," said Tiago Ramos

Members of the Portuguese community in Jersey have expressed their shock after the death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota.

The 28-year-old Portuguese footballer died in a car crash in Spain along with his younger brother Andrew Silva in the early hours.

Jersey has a large Portuguese and Madeiran community, with nearly 10,000 people in the island identifying as ethnically Portuguese.

Tiago Ramos, who plays for Portuguese FC in the island, said: "I didn't believe it when I saw it in the football chat group and honestly it has been really sad."

Reuters Jota is in a red Liverpool FC jersey holds up a trophy adorned with red and white ribbons. The player wears a green and white medal around their neck. In the background, other team members, spectators, and stadium lights are visibleReuters
Jota helped win the League Cup for Liverpool

Mr Ramos, who is a car salesman, added: "Working with cars and playing football has made this really difficult for me.

"I think this news has shocked Portuguese and Liverpool fans."

Jota helped Liverpool win the Premier League title last season and also played for Portugal as they beat Spain in the final of the Nations League in June.

He had married his long-term partner, Rute, last month, and the couple had three children.

Joao stands on a beachside boardwalk, wearing a light blue patterned short-sleeve shirt. Behind them are a sandy beach, calm ocean waves, and houses along the coastline under a clear blue sky.
Joao Nunes, who is part of the Portuguese Community CI group, said Jota's death was devastating

Joao Nunes, who is part of the Portuguese Community CI group, which organises community groups, said he was shocked as it was "a dreadful situation" to wake up to.

"It's devastating and everybody in the Portuguese community in Jersey is saying what a loss this has been to lose someone with such potential," he said.

European football's governing body Uefa has confirmed there will be a minute's silence before Portugal's Euro 2025 game against Spain later.

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