Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj was deeply touched by the news of footballer Diogo Jota’s tragic passing in a car accident.
Mohammed Siraj Pays Emotional Tribute to Diogo Jota on the Field
On Friday, during Day 2 of the third Test against England, Siraj paid a heartfelt tribute to the Portuguese forward after taking the wicket of Jamie Smith. He formed the number ‘20’, Jota’s jersey number at Liverpool, with his fingers, then raised both hands to the sky in memory of the player, who passed away on July 3 in a car crash in Spain’s Zamora region. Jota was traveling back to Liverpool for pre-season training when the accident happened, which also claimed the life of his brother, Andre Silva.
Speaking in a video shared by the BCCI, Siraj said he had been planning to honour Jota since the previous match.
“We got to know during the last match (in Birmingham) that Diogo Jota had died in an accident,” Siraj said.
“Because I am a Portugal fan, and because CR7 (Cristiano Ronaldo) plays for that team, I felt emotional. I wanted to do it (pay my tribute) in the last match itself. I had spoken with Kuldeep (Yadav) and told him that I wanted to make a gesture for Diogo Jota. Today (Friday), I got a wicket, so I made the gesture,” he added.
Reflecting on how unpredictable life can be, the pacer said, “No one knows what will happen. Life is very unpredictable, dear friend. Who are we fighting for, who are we doing it for, but we don’t know what will happen tomorrow. There is nothing certain in life.”
“I was shocked that something like this could happen, and that too, in a car accident. Since I got a wicket, I thought of making a gesture for Diogo Jota, Jersey No. 20. That was the reason behind it,” Siraj said.
Liverpool to Retire Diogo Jota’s Iconic No. 20 Jersey
Meanwhile, Liverpool will retire Diogo Jota’s number 20 shirt in honour of the Portugal forward, who died in a car crash with his brother Andre Silva earlier this month.
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“After consultation with his wife, Rute, and family, the club can announce the squad number will be retired in honour and memory of Diogo across all levels, including LFC Women and Academy,” the club said on Friday.
“I believe this is the first time in Liverpool Football Club‘s history that such an honour has been bestowed upon an individual,” said CEO Michael Edwards. “Therefore, we can say this is a unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person.”
Liverpool will play their first match since the tragedy in a pre-season friendly at Preston on Sunday. You’ll Never Walk Alone will be played before kickoff, followed by a minute’s silence, digital tributes, and both teams wearing black armbands.
Jota had married his partner Rute Cardoso just 11 days before the crash. Liverpool players and manager Arne Slot attended his funeral last Saturday.
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