𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Portugal players were shocked and heartbroken to learn of the death of Diogo Jota on Thursday ahead of their opening match of Euro 2025 against Spain tonight.

“One of our own,” Portugal forward Jessica Silva posted on Instagram. “Diogo wasn’t just a star. It was the good, the faithful, the attentive, the simple … of those who don’t need noise to mark their presence!

“Football has gone poorer … and so are we. You will never be forgotten.”

Hours before kick-off, virtually every player on the Portugal women’s squad had posted photos of Jota on social media, many with broken heart emojis.

England defender Lucy Bronze said the Lionesses would lend their full support to the Portuguese team at Euro 2025 after they were “shocked” by the death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota.

Portugal play World Cup champions Spain in their tournament opener on Thursday night in Bern, where a minute’s silence will be observed in honour of the Portugal international and 28-year-old father of three, who was killed in a car crash alongside his brother in Spain.

Bronze, who was born in Berwick-Upon-Tweed to a Portuguese father and an English mother, said the Lionesses were stunned when word travelled through the camp in Zurich, where they are preparing to open their title defence against France on Saturday.

There was a moment’s silence for Diogo Jota and Andre Silva before today’s earlier game between Belgium and Italy in Sion.

Portugal play Spain in their opening match of Euro 2025, in what will be a highly emotional occasion for the Portuguese team following the death of men’s international and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota.

Jota was killed in a car crash with his brother Andre Silva in the early hours of Thursday morning, with the football world and beyond in mourning. Uefa has confirmed that there will be a moment’s silence before all Euro 2025 matches on Thursday and Friday, while Portugal’s players will wear black armbands.

Portugal begin their tournament against world champions Spain, who are the favourites to win their first European title this month. Spain’s build-up has been dominated by the availability of Ballon d’Or holder Aitana Bonmati, who was in hospital before the tournament with viral meningitis.

Elsewhere in Group B, Italy play Belgium with both teams looking to get off the mark with an opening victory.