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Trent Alexander-Arnold pays tribute to former team-mate and friend, Diogo Jota(Image: DAZN)

Trent Alexander-Arnold paid tribute to Diogo Jota after helping Real Madrid into the semi-final of the FIFA Club World Cup, declaring: "He will never be forgotten."

The England star, who left boyhood club Liverpool for Real Madrid at the start of June, was unable to attend his former team-mates funeral on Saturday due to the Spanish giants' participation in the United States.

Los Blancos beat Borussia Dortmund 3-2 to book a final four place against Paris Saint-Germain.

“My condolences, my love, my thoughts and prayers to the family of a close friend of mine,” said Alexander-Arnold, who spent five years playing alongside Jota at Anfield.

It’s been difficult, but it’s been heartwarming to see the football world unite to show love and support to him and his family, and also his brother.

Although it’s been difficult, it’s been a nice showing out from clubs and people uniting and showing love and support for what must be a mind-blowingly hard time for his family.”

Alexander-Arnold continued: “I’ve been in and around him and his brother, his family, his amazing wife, his parents, his amazing three children - it’s truly heartbreaking to wake up to news like that.

It’s something you would never expect.

READ MORE:Cristiano Ronaldo's sister explains Diogo Jota funeral no-show in staunch defence of brotherREAD MORE:Diogo Jota funeral: Ruben Neves' touching act after beautiful tribute to friend

"He was a very close friend.

It goes without saying he will never be forgotten by anyone.

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“He will live long in all our memories for the amazing man and player he was.”

Many members of Liverpool’s squad were united in their grief as they said farewell to their team-mate alongside his family, friends and a host of his international team-mates at his funeral in Gondomar on Saturday.

A service for the 28-year-old father-of-three, who married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso almost a fortnight ago, and his brother, Andre Silva, was held at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar church in their home town, near Porto, following their deaths in a car crash on Thursday.

Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson, football players for Liverpool FC, carry floral tributes (Image: 2025 Getty Images)Liverpool manager Arne Slot leaves the funeral of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva (Image: PA Wire)

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson each carried a floral tribute in the shape of a red shirt bearing the respective numbers of the two brothers.