At a time when the football world is mourning the shocking loss of Diogo Jota, Liverpool legend Ian Rush has opened up about why he couldn’t attend the funeral of the beloved forward—and it turns out, he was dealing with heartbreak of his own.
While many gathered in Portugal to say goodbye to Jota and his brother André Silva, Rush shared that he, too, was grieving a personal tragedy: the recent passing of his own brother, Gerald.
Jota and His Brother Laid to Rest in Portugal
On Saturday, a sea of mourners came together at Gondomar cemetery in Portugal to pay their final respects to 28-year-old Diogo Jota and his younger brother André, 25, after their tragic deaths in a car crash in northern Spain last Thursday.
The accident happened just 11 days after Jota married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso.
The couple shared three children—Dinis, four, Duarte, two, and baby daughter Mafalda, just eight months old.
The news stunned the world of football.
Among those attending the funeral were Jota’s Liverpool teammates, manager Arne Slot, and his fellow Portuguese internationals including Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, and Ruben Neves.
Rush Explains His Absence in an Emotional Tribute
Rush, Liverpool’s all-time leading goalscorer and a club ambassador, shared a deeply personal message on Instagram, explaining why he wasn’t present at the funeral.
“I was invited and intended to attend Diogo’s funeral,” he wrote.
“But my brother Gerald passed away last week. I was in the middle of helping with Gerald’s funeral when the news broke about Diogo.”
The Welsh icon described the last few days as incredibly difficult, admitting the reality of both losses still hasn’t fully hit him.
“Like with Diogo, it hasn’t really sunk in yet,” he added.
A Football Family in Mourning
Rush went on to reflect on the Liverpool community as more than just a club.
“At Liverpool we have always regarded ourselves as one big family,” he said.
“Now one of our family has gone, so we all have to join together and help one another.”
His words struck a chord with many fans, painting a picture of unity and shared grief during an unthinkable time for both the Belford and Jota families.
Remembering Diogo Jota for His Humility and Heart
In his tribute, Rush praised Jota not only for his talent but for his personality.
“Diogo was a great player. Probably the best natural finisher at the club,” he said.
“But he was also a real down-to-earth person. A real gent. He just got on with things.”
Jota, who made a habit of changing games whether starting or coming off the bench, was remembered as much for his quiet demeanor off the pitch as for his sharpness in front of goal.
“He will be sadly missed for the special person he was as much as for what he did on a football field,” Rush added.
Facing the Future Without Him
Rush also acknowledged the emotional weight the Liverpool squad will carry as they return to pre-season training and prepare for a new campaign.
The loss of a teammate, a friend, and a part of the Liverpool fabric is something that will linger long after the season begins.
He ended his heartfelt message with a simple but powerful line:
“Diogo will never be forgotten because he embraced everything Liverpool.
Our lad from Portugal. Forever.”
Messages of Support Pour In for Rush
After sharing his own grief publicly, Rush was met with a wave of compassion.
Fellow Liverpool greats and fans alike offered their condolences and praised his moving tribute.
Robbie Fowler commented:
“Sorry to hear that news of your brother Tosh… sending you and the family lots of love.”
Robbie Keane shared a broken heart and prayer emoji, while fans left comments such as:
“Beautiful words Ian. My thoughts are with you and your family… YNWA.”
“A touching tribute. So sorry for your loss.”
“Beautiful words Rushy and so sorry for your own loss of your brother too.”
Two Families, One Shared Loss
In a week filled with sorrow, Ian Rush’s words served as a poignant reminder that grief often comes in waves—and that sometimes, even in football, life’s toughest moments go beyond the pitch.
As both the Jota and Rush families mourn their own heartbreaks, they do so with the support of a community that stands firmly behind them.