Heartbreaking: Diogo Jota jokes about pressures of becoming a new dad

by · Mail Online

Diogo Jota joked about the pressures of becoming a new father in a heartbreaking clip and said 'each day is a new day' before his death on Thursday. 

The Liverpool star was travelling in a car in northern Spain with his brother Andre, 26, also a footballer, when it came off the road and erupted into flames.

Both brothers were killed in the crash on the A-52 in the province of Zamora, with tributes pouring in from around the world.

Jota's death tragically came just two weeks after he married his childhood sweetheart and mother of his three children, Rute Cardoso, in Porto.

The couple had three children - son Dinis, four, son Duarte, three and a daughter who is just nine months old.

Now heartbreaking footage has emerged showing Jota joking with teammate Joe Gomez about the joy and pitfalls of becoming a new parent, following the birth of his first child in 2021.

As part of an initiative by Liverpool FC with business Joie Baby to give gifts to each newborn child at Liverpool Women's Hospital, the pair spoke to a midwife and shared stories of their children's births.

Describing the moment he first found out he would become a father, the Liverpool player said: 'It was a bit of a shock at first. It was Covid's fault.'

Diogo Jota (pictured) died alongside his brother Andre after the car they were in crashed and burst into flame in the early hours of Thursday
Diogo Jota joked about the pressures of becoming a new father in a heartbreaking clip and said 'each day is a new day' before his death on Thursday (Pictured: Jota with his wife Rute and three children)
Jota only married his high school sweetheart just under two weeks ago

He told how the birth was a special experience, saying: 'You always think about that moment, but when it actually happens, I can't describe the feelings.

'One of the midwives offered me to cut the cord but I couldn't do it. I couldn't, I'm too sensitive.

When asked what advice he would give any teammates who became new parents, Jota quipped: 'If he comes to me I'll send them to Joe because he's more experienced!'

But he added: 'Patience is the key, I would say... Each day is a new day.' 

Jota described himself as the luckiest man in the world in an interview released on Wednesday after he married his wife less than two weeks ago in Portugal.

The couple frequently posted photos of their family online, seeming to have their whole lives ahead of them. 

Earlier this week, Jota sent Cardoso what proved to be a final public message on Instagram after his wife wrote 'my dream came true' following their wedding. 

In response, he wrote: 'But I'm the lucky one'. 

Jota was appearing alongside teammate Joe Gomez in the clip, in which they spoke to a local midwife
Mr and Mrs Jota show off their rings after exchanging vows
Jota described himself as the luckiest man in the world in an interview released Wednesday after the couple walked down the aisle in Portugal
The couple have three children, pictured on the Anfield pitch in May after winning the Premier League
When asked what advice he would give any teammates who became new parents, Jota quipped: 'If he comes to me I'll send them to Joe because he's more experienced!'
The supercar crashed and caught fire, also igniting the surrounding vegetation
The acid green front of what appears to be the front of the Lamborghini Huracan lies at the side of the road where Diogo Jota and his brother died yesterday. Their family and the world of football are mourning their tragic deaths near the town of Cernadilla, close to Zamora, Spain

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Bodies of Diogo Jota and his brother  are greeted by heartbroken fans as they arrive at church

His death was confirmed by Pedro Proenca, head of the Portuguese Football Federation.

Mr Proenca said in a statement: 'The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and André Silva, this morning, in Spain.

'Much more than an amazing player, with almost 50 internationalizations for the National A Team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself.

'On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and André Silva, as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where, respectively, lined up the players.

'The Portuguese Football Federation has already asked UEFA for a minute's silence, this Thursday, before the match of our national team with Spain, in the women's European Championship.

'Lost to two champs. The disappearance of Diogo and Andre Silva represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football and we will do everything to, daily, honor their legacy'.

Liverpool has cancelled the phased return of players for pre-season training following the tragedy.

The first group of Arne Slot's squad were scheduled to attend the club's AXA training complex on Friday for the opening round of physical tests after their summer break.

However, it is understood that has been postponed as the club deals with the aftermath of the shocking tragedy in the early hours of Thursday.

Mourners gathered at a wake in Portugal on Friday morning, ahead of the brothers' funeral at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme at 10am on Saturday.