In a deeply emotional moment on Monday, Real Madrid’s delegation, led by Trent Alexander-Arnold and manager Xabi Alonso, visited Anfield to honour the memory of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who tragically lost their lives in a car accident in July.
The tribute came ahead of Madrid’s Champions League clash with Liverpool, but emotions overshadowed football as the Spanish giants paid their respects at Jota’s memorial site.
Returning to Anfield for the first time since joining Madrid, Alexander-Arnold laid a floral wreath, a handwritten note, and a red PlayStation 4 controller, symbolising Jota’s love for gaming.
His touching message read:
“My mate Diogo, you are so missed but still so loved. Yours and Andre’s memory will always live on. I smile every time I think about you and will always remember the great times we shared. Miss you, mate, every day. Forever 20. YNWA. Love Trent and family.”
He was joined by Real Madrid officials Emilio Butragueño and Dean Huijsen, who also placed flowers at the shrine, as fans online hailed the gesture as “a true display of respect and football unity.”
The ceremony comes four months after the tragic accident that claimed the lives of Jota and his brother. The incident shook the entire Liverpool community, prompting the club to retire Jota’s iconic No. 20 shirt in his honour.
Nicknamed the “Silent Assassin,” Jota’s legacy endures through his achievements — over 140 appearances, Premier League, FA Cup, two League Cups, and a Community Shield — and his humility both on and off the pitch.
For Alexander-Arnold, the return to Anfield was filled with emotion. Standing beside Alonso, he bowed his head in silence, visibly moved as memories of his former teammate lingered in the cool Merseyside air.
