India seamer Mohammed Siraj pulled out a heartwarming tribute for Portugal and Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident last week. The pacer had snapped up England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith for 51 at Lord’s during the second day of the 3rd Test match and then paid his respects to Jota.
As soon as he got the wicket, Siraj gestured the number 20 with both hands and then pointed towards the heavens. The ’20’ gesture was because Jota used to wear jersey number 20 when playing for Liverpool. This is also not the first time Siraj had brought out a celebration linked with football with the India pacer frequently doing the famous Cristiano Ronaldo “Siuuu” celebration as well.
Jota’s death at the age of 28 was received with shock and grief around the world of football and beyond. The crashed occured near Zamora in northwestern Spain and a statement from the Provincial Council confirmed the deaths on the A-52 (Palacios de Sanabria).
𝐍𝐨 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐒𝐏 😉#JamieSmith survived once, but no escape this time from #MohammedSiraj! 👀
Will #TeamIndia bundle England out under 400? 🤔#ENGvIND 👉 3rd TEST, DAY 2 | LIVE NOW on JioHotstar 👉 https://t.co/mg732JcWfD pic.twitter.com/I1uG35YFZC
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 11, 2025
Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who played for Penafiel in the Portuguese second division, were believed to have been driving to a ferry in Spain to travel to Britain when their Lamborghini veered off the road and burst into flames after midnight on Thursday. They were buried in their hometown of Gondomar in northern Portugal on Saturday.
The Liverpool forward was a part of the UEFA Nations League-winning Portugal squad, led by Ronaldo, and also played in the final against Spain. After the 40-year-old Ronaldo scored the equaliser and exited the field with an injury before the end of 90 minutes, Jota came on as a substitute for the last 15 minutes of extra time before Portugal clinched the title 5-3 on penalties.
Ronaldo was among the plethora of figures from the football world who expressed grief. “It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you had gotten married. To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”
