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Trent Alexander-Arnold Honors Diogo Jota at Anfield on First Return With Real Madrid

The gesture reflected their five-year bond, highlighting football-wide support.

Overview

  • Alexander-Arnold laid flowers and left a handwritten note at the Anfield memorial to Diogo and André Jota, writing in part that his friend is "so missed but still so loved" and signing "Forever 20, YNWA."
  • He placed a red PlayStation controller as a personal tribute to Jota’s love of gaming, inscribed "Forever a champion 20. TAA."
  • Real Madrid figures Xabi Alonso, Dean Huijsen and Emilio Butragueño joined the visit, with a club wreath conveying condolences to Liverpool and Jota’s family.
  • The visit marked Alexander-Arnold’s first return to Liverpool since his summer move to Real Madrid following five seasons as Jota’s teammate.
  • Jota, 28, and his brother André, 26, died in a July crash on Spain’s A‑52, after which Liverpool retired Jota’s No. 20 shirt; Alexander-Arnold is back on Merseyside for a Champions League match and is reported to be unlikely to start as he recovers from a hamstring injury.