Everton striker Beto has expressed his deep sorrow by paying an emotional tribute to Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, who recently passed away in tragic accident.
Saturday’s Merseyside derby (September 20) marks the first meeting between Everton and Liverpool since the tragic passing of Diogo Jota earlier this summer.
– ADEVERTISEMENT –
Before the derby, Everton striker Beto, 27, paid a heartfelt tribute to Diogo Jota, recalling how the Liverpool star was the first to message him after he signed for the club.
Recalling the moment of Jota’s passing, Beto told the Liverpool Echo: “That day, the day that thing happened, I was at home in Portugal. That day I would travel to Manchester to come here for the pre-season.
“I was shocked. I was shocked because Diogo was a really good guy.
“We were not friends, but you know, when you play against Portuguese players and everything, we normally stop, we speak a little bit.
“You have Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, these guys, but when I signed for Everton, he was the first guy who texted me.
“He just texted me and said: ‘I’m happy for you. I’m happy for you. If you need anything on the city, everything, I can help you, just give me a shout’.
“After every game that we play against Liverpool, we’d talk a little bit. We were not best friends, you know, but we talk a little bit, he was a really, really good guy. I’d ask: ‘how is everything?’
“It was sad. It was really sad.”
