Mexico striker Raúl Jiménez made a pair of touching tributes to his late teammate Diogo Jota throughout the Concacaf Gold Cup last at NRG Stadium in Houston on Sunday.
Earlier than kickoff, Jiménez walked onto the pitch sporting a Mexico jersey with the identify “Diogo J” on the again. Jiménez was teammates with the Portuguese ahead for 2 seasons at Wolverhampton Wanderers when the membership was within the Premier League.
Jota and his brother have been killed in a automotive accident in Spain when the Lamborghini they have been driving in veered off a highway and burst into flames, police stated Thursday. Jota was 28 years outdated and his brother, André, was 25.
“Diogo was an important good friend who was with me at Wolves. There have been occasions that we stayed in communication, we shared great moments except for the vital issues we have been chasing for that point. It’s arduous to see this, somebody so near you who was an important good friend,” Jimenez stated Saturday.
Then, when Jiménez scored the equalizer for Mexico in opposition to the USA within the twenty seventh minute, Jiménez sat down and did Jota’s signature celebration, which entails sitting down and enjoying with an imaginary gaming controller. Jiménez additionally draped the customized Mexico jersey with Jota’s identify on the again over his crossed legs.
(Picture by Omar Vega/Getty Pictures)
Paris Saint-Germain ahead Ousmane Dembélé did the identical after his objective on the FIFA Membership World Cup, as did Actual Salt Lake winger Diogo Gonçalves, who got here up in Portugal’s youth ranks with Jota.
Explaining the celebration
Diogo Jota was greater than a large fan of EA Sports activities FC (previously EA Sports activities FIFA); he was an completed participant. In April 2020, Jota famously went 30-0 in FUT Champions, the premier competitors in EA Sports activities FC’s Final Group. Because of his undefeated file, Jota was ranked among the many High 20 gamers on the planet — and it did not cease there.
Jota certified for the FIFA International Collection Qualifier — one of many fiercest FIFA competitions in Europe — in 2022. He misplaced to 2017 world champion Gorilla in his event debut, however was heralded for holding his personal.
(Picture by Michael Regan/Getty Pictures)
Jota turned the proprietor of esports crew Galaxy racer in 2023 and merged it along with his personal crew, Diogo Jota Sports activities, which was later renamed to Luna Sports activities. Luna Sports activities gained the FC 24 Esports World Cup final yr by EA FC professional João Vasconcelos.
The Related Press contributed to this story.
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