\n<\/p>\n
“Of course, if we had the possibility to change everything, we would change everything for sure. But this is a hard day for us.”<\/b><\/p>\n
Portugal boss Francisco Neto joined in the tributes to Diogo Jota as thousands of fans also paid their respects during the team’s Euro 2025 opener against Spain.<\/p>\n
Liverpool forward Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, both died early on Thursday morning when the Lamborghini car they were travelling in crashed in the Spanish province of Zamora.<\/p>\n
On an emotional evening, a heartfelt rendition of Portugal’s national anthem was followed by an impeccably observed minute’s silence before kick-off, during which a black-and-white image of Jota was displayed on the big stadium screens in Bern.<\/p>\n
“It was a really tough day to play football, because this life is much more than a game, much more than football,” said Portugal forward Jessica Silva.<\/p>\n
“Of course everyone is sad. It’s heavy, my heart is heavy – much more important things than playing a game.”<\/p>\n
Portugal fans held up placards with messages paying tribute to the player who is also being mourned in Liverpool, while both sets of players wore black armbands.<\/p>\n
Despite having relentless support from their fans throughout the 90 minutes, Portugal fell to a 5-0 defeat<\/a> in Bern as world champions and tournament favourites Spain began their pursuit for a first European crown.<\/p>\n Speaking in his post-match news conference, coach Neto, who appeared to hold back tears during the minute’s silence, described Jota as a devoted supporter of the women’s side.<\/p>\n “Diogo followed our team because he loved the county,” said Neto, who explained he first met Jota while coaching at under-19 level.<\/p>\n “Diogo always, when I talked to him, always knew the result. He followed the team, some players and this is the culture we have in Portugal.<\/p>\n “Today is a really, really sad day because two of us lost our lives. So young. It is not a good day.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n