'It hits you' - Diogo Dalot opens up on heartache of Diogo Jota's death as Man Utd defender pays tribute to 'role model'

The football world was left stunned by the sudden passing of Jota last month in a tragic motor accident in Spain. Dalot joined fellow players and fans in mourning the loss of the 27-year-old forward and his brother Andre Silva. The Manchester United full-back has now paid tribute to the 'role model'.

Speaking to the media, Dalot said: "It's tough to talk about it, but it was a tough week for me, for every teammate that played with him. I cannot imagine what the family went through. I had the opportunity to see them and it's just tough. There aren’t any words to describe it when such a tragedy happens like that. 

"It hits you. I felt that everybody, the whole world felt it, even if they didn't know him personally. It's just a tragedy. Every time I go on the pitch, I think of it. Even today, I saw shirts with his name. He will be remembered forever, and he deserves that because he was a great man, a great teammate. 

"Diogo was someone that I would say was a role model for me because I always like to see a player's behaviour when they play and when you don't play. He was always the guy that was thinking and putting the team first. So I will always remember him like that. Hopefully, he's at peace now and resting where he is."

Jota’s death brought the footballing community together in grief and remembrance. Supporters of rival clubs came together to honour his life and career. Dalot added that his influence went beyond football, leaving behind a legacy of character and camaraderie.

Dalot continued: "He could have played for any team. When you're talking about the personal side, I don't look to the shirts that he represents. Obviously, I played a lot of years with him in the national team and I spent some time with him. So you create that connection, you create some memories. That's what I want to keep, the good memories. It's how I want to remember him."

Liverpool and Portugal are expected to honour Jota during the upcoming season with tributes and commemorations. Dalot and others who knew him will carry his memory forward on and off the pitch, while the wider football community continues to grieve a player gone far too soon.