New Delhi: On the eve of their Champions League clash with Liverpool, Real Madrid set aside competition and rivalry to honour the late Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Jota in a deeply moving gesture outside Anfield. The tribute reflects the unity and compassion that football can inspire even in its most competitive moments.
Xabi Alonso was representing the Spanish giants alongside defender Dean Huijsen and club legend Emilio Butragueno. They were joined by Trent Alexander-Arnold who is Jota’s former Liverpool teammate and now a Real Madrid player. Together they all laid two bouquets of flowers at the main entrance of the stadium as one in Liverpool red and the other in Madrid while making a symbolic act that spoke louder than any words could.
For Alexander-Arnold, the moment carried a personal weight. Alongside his bouquet, he placed a handwritten note that read, “My mate Diogo. You are so missed but still so loved. Yours and André’s memory will always live on. I smile every time I think about you and will always remember the great times we shared. Miss you mate, every day. Love, Trent and family. Forever 20. YNWA.”
Xabi Alonso, Trent, Huijsen and Emilio Butragueño paid tribute to Diogo Jota the day before the match between Liverpool and Real Madrid. pic.twitter.com/Z35k4fz3N0
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 3, 2025
The gesture brought back memories of Jota’s signature “invisible joystick” celebration. Alongside that, Alexander-Arnold also left a red PlayStation controller beside the flowers. On it, he had written a short but heart-touching message, “Forever a champion, I will miss you.”
Leading the Real Madrid contingent, Xabi Alonso who knows Anfield better than most laid a wreath of white flowers on behalf of the club. His message of condolence read, “Real Madrid expresses its condolences to Liverpool FC and the family of Diogo Jota. The football world mourns the loss of an exceptional player and an incredible person.”
As Liverpool and Real Madrid prepare to face each other under the Anfield lights, the memory of Diogo Jota will be felt by both sides. His passion, warmth and joy for the game left a mark far beyond the pitch as one that will continue to unite fans and players in shared respect and love.