- Defender speaks for first time about loss of his Liverpool team-mate in a car accident in July, and how the tragedy devastated everyone at Anfield club
- Robertson reveals that it still feels raw to talk about his close friend, and recalls how his death put football into its proper perspective
- ‘It’s the toughest thing we’ll ever go through, losing one of my closest mates, for me, was hugely difficult,’ says the Scotland full back.
Scotland skipper Andy Robertson has opened up on the death of Diogo Jota for the first time – and admitted he might never get over the tragic loss of his close friend and Liverpool team-mate.
Portuguese star Jota and his brother Andre Silva were killed in a car accident in northern Spain in July.
Numbed with shock, Robertson flew to Jota’s home town of Gondomar for the funeral as the football world tried to come to terms with what happened.
While Arne Slot’s side have tried their best to honour Jota’s memory by playing the game he loved, Robertson admits his pal’s death still feels extremely raw.
Asked about the horrendous events, the 31-year-old said: ‘It was the most difficult thing we’ll ever go through. It was such a surprise, such a shock. It was devastating for his family, first and foremost, but also devastating for us as a group of lads.
‘Football … I don’t think anyone could care less about football. When things like that happen, it puts life into perspective as to what’s important, like spending time with your family and spending time with your kids because you never know what’s around the corner.
Great pals Diogo Jota and Andy Robertson enjoy a chat during a Liverpool training session back in 2022
Andy Robertson, far right, and Virgil Van Dijk carry floral tributes for Jota at his funeral
Happier times as Robertson and Jota celebrate FA Cup triumph with Liverpool team-mates in 2022
‘Like I say, it’s the toughest thing we’ll ever go through. Losing one of my closest mates, for me, was hugely difficult.
‘It’s something we’ll probably never get over, but it’s something we have to carry with us. We’ll carry the memories we have from our time with him. And, as long as we continue to do that, he’ll always be in our thoughts and he’ll always be in our hearts. That’s all we can do.’
Robertson is out of contract next summer and was linked with moves away from Anfield towards the end of last season.
Adamant that he had made up his mind to stay on Merseyside before the tragedy, he added: ‘It didn’t influence my decision.
‘The decision was already made before the tragedy, but I knew in that moment that the club needed me.
‘I know I am one of the leaders in the team and I have obviously been made vice-captain now. It’s going to take a lot this season.
‘If you take the football out of it, even as lads in the changing room we are all going to need help during the season. We’ve already had difficult moments in terms of the first time playing in front of fans, going to your team-mate’s funeral which is absolutely madness to even say, and everything else that followed after it.
‘I know the leaders in that changing room have got a big job to do this season in terms of trying to help everyone as a club and even Diogo’s family through this massively difficult moment.
Jota and Robertson team up to quell the threat of Kevin De Bruyne during a Premier League clash
Andy Robertson speaks about Jota at Scotland’s press conference on Thursday
‘It won’t get easier, but maybe we can numb the pain a little bit as time goes on. It’s up to us leaders to try and guide us through that.’
The season has started with Roberson playing second fiddle to Milos Kerkez, the first time since the Scot’s second season at Liverpool that he hasn’t been an automatic pick.
Confident he can regain his place in Slot’s side, he said: ‘It hasn’t been awkward, that’s not the word I’d use. It’s been difficult for different reasons.
‘I made a decision and I still believe if I keep doing what I’m doing I’ll play a lot of games for club and country.
‘That’s my main focus this season. When called upon, to produce as well as I can for Liverpool and Scotland.
‘Hopefully, (next) summer I’ll be heading to a World Cup with a couple more trophies in my back pocket.’
