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Lionel Messi has paid an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota on social media.

(Image: Getty Images)

Lionel Messi has paid tribute to Liverpool star Diogo Jota, who tragically died on Thursday in a car accident.

Floral tributes were laid outside Anfield soon after the news was confirmed.

The Reds, Everton, Manchester United, and Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo have offered their condolences, among countless others, as the football world and wider community continues to mourn.

READ MORE:Diogo Jota was more than a Liverpool footballer - no wonder we adored him on the KopREAD MORE:John Henry and FSG leadership group 'numb with grief' as they send message to Diogo Jota loved ones

Liverpool City mayor Steve Rotheram and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer are among the many people outside of football to pay their respects.

And Messi has now paid tribute in an emotional post on his Instagram story.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or and 2022 World Cup winner posted a picture of Jota alongside the words "QEPD".

The phrase is a Spanish initialism that stands for "que en paz descanse", which translates to "may he/she rest in peace" in English.

Article continues belowLionel Messi has paid tribute to Diogo Jota.

(Image: @leomessi)

Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes have confirmed that the club are looking to honour Jota with 'meaningful tributes'.

Edwards - who is Fenway Sports Group's (FSG) CEO of Football - signed Jota from Wolves while working in his previous role as Liverpool sporting director back in September 2020, with the Reds signing the forward in a deal worth up to £45m.

In a statement - released on behalf of Edwards and current Reds sporting director Hughes - the pair addressed the heart-breaking grief that the club and Jota's loved ones are suffering as they confirmed plans to honour him.

Released on the club website, it read: "There is nothing that we can say in this moment to ease the pain of such a devastating tragedy.

We all feel utterly bereft right now.

"In such heart-breaking circumstances, it is our responsibility to acknowledge collective grief we are experiencing, to pay tribute to our Diogo, and to offer unwavering support to his family who remain our absolute priority at this time.

"Diogo's wife, Rute, their three beautiful children, his parents and wider family are facing an unimaginable loss.

"This tragic accident has taken not only Diogo, but also his brother, Andre Silva.
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