Portugal wants to pay ultimate World Cup tribute to Diogo Jota on anniversary of tragic death

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Diogo Jota died in a car accident on July 3 last year, and Portugal is desperate to win the World Cup to honor the late Liverpool star, but first faces Croatia on the anniversaryPortugal wants to win the World Cup to honor Diogo Jota(Image: Jose Breton/NurPhoto)Portugal faces Croatia in the Round of 32 on Thursday at Toronto Stadium, and has an added motivation to get over the line for the late Diogo Jota.Although the game will take place in Canada on July 2, the kickoff will be at midnight on July 3 in Portugal. It marks the first anniversary of Jota's death, when he was killed alongside his brother, Andre Silva, in a car accident.Jota's death shocked the sports world, with Liverpool paying tribute to the Portugal star last season and the national team still naming him an honorary member of the World Cup roster.

Portugal faces a tough test against Croatia, but has an added incentive to win for Jota."So many (motivations to win the match), and there's yet this additional factor, this special day, we have all the motivation, for our families, for Diogo Jota, for the whole country, for the whole of Portugal," said Portugal midfielder Vitinha on Wednesday.Speaking after Portugal's 0-0 draw with Colombia on Saturday, head coach Roberto Martinez made it clear that the roster wants to win the World Cup for Jota. "I think we need to honor Diogo Jota," he said."I think it's a moment to cherish that everything we started in this team started with him.

Unfortunately for Jota, he never made a World Cup roster as he was injured during the 2022 tournament in Qatar.While the Portugal roster is attempting to stay focused without Jota, it was also a difficult prospect for former Liverpool player Andy Robertson. "I couldn’t get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today."We spoke so much about the World Cup.