After Real Madrid's 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Club World Cup quarterfinal, defender Trent Alexander-Arnold addressed the media. In a poignant interview, the former Liverpool teammate of Diogo Jota opened not with the match itself, but with the impact of Jota's passing: “Even now, I struggle to comprehend what happened. It's been brutal, and I still feel somewhat numb. To be honest, I can't accept it yet. It's so rare for something like this to happen to someone you know... Sometimes as a footballer, even when young, you feel invincible. You think this can't happen to us, but this proves it can.”
“He was a close friend, and this has been incredibly hard for me and everyone who knew him—not just teammates, friends, and family, but the entire football world. It's moving and heartwarming to see the football community unite, showing love and support for him, his family, and his brother.”
“Despite the difficulty, these gestures have been comforting. People coming together to support his family in this unimaginably tough time... I spent time with him, his brother, his family—his amazing wife, wonderful parents, and lovely children. Waking up to that news was heartbreaking; it's something you never expect.”
“He was a dear friend who lit up any room. Five years in the same dressing room gave us countless great memories on and off the pitch. Needless to say, he'll never be forgotten. As an exceptional person and player, he'll live on in all our memories for a long time.”
“I hope this brings some comfort. Diogo was loved by millions worldwide. He was an incredible person, and it was a great honor to be by his side and call him a friend.”
“Today, I still had a job to do—no matter how hard, I had to focus on performing for the team and helping us win.”
“It was tough; I had to force myself to concentrate on my duties. I gave my all, but it wasn't easy—I won't sugarcoat that.”
"Diogo was one of my closest friends. I believe this is what he'd want, and I'm sure he was with me out there today."
