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Liverpool star Diogo Jota made a phone call to the president of Gondomar SC, his childhood club, mere hours before he passed away in a tragic car crash on Thursday. The club's president disclosed that during their call, Jota was going 'through a happy moment.'

The football world was left in shock as news broke that 28-year-old Jota and his brother Andre Silva, aged 26, were involved in a fatal car crash on Spain's A-52 motorway in the Zamora province early Thursday morning. The siblings were en route to Santander's port to board a ferry to England after Jota had been advised against flying due to recent lung surgery. Tragically, their Lamborghini veered off the road around 12:30am local time, reportedly after a tyre blowout while overtaking, leading to both their deaths as the car burst into flames. Hours before the devastating accident, Jota had a conversation with Alvaro Cerqueira, the president of Gondomar SC, where Jota began playing at just nine years old.

Cerqueira recounted to JN: "It was just after 10pm last night [Thursday], we were on the phone and he was fine.

"We spoke almost every week, and I know he was going through a happy moment. When Diogo needed to train during the off-season, he would ask to come here, and we would always make everything available.

"His brother would usually come too, and they would both train. It is difficult to talk at a time like this, but what will remain is the image of two very humble people, who leave a huge void."

Gondomar, nestled near the Portuguese city of Porto, was the place Jota called home. It was here that the Liverpool star wed his long-term partner Rute Cardoso just two weeks before his untimely passing, a union blessed with three children.

Jota and his brother's funeral is scheduled for 10am on Saturday, with a vigil to be held at Sao Cosme Chapel followed by a funeral service at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar. The football world has been united in grief, with an outpouring of tributes for the beloved Liverpool player from former team-mates, managers, clubs and fans.

Liverpool's skipper Virgil van Dijk joined the chorus of voices mourning Jota, expressing his sorrow on Instagram: "Man, I can't believe it, I don't wanna believe it. Absolutely devastated and in total disbelief. What a human being, what a player, but most importantly what an unbelievable family man.

"You meant so much to all of us and you always will! For your family to lose two sons, a husband and a father is just unimaginable. So cruel and unfair. My heart is breaking for all of your beautiful family, for Rute and for your kids.

"I promise you that in these difficult times and beyond we will always be there for your family. A champion forever, number 20 forever. It's been a privilege to have stood by your side on the pitch, and to have been your friend off it. We will miss you beyond words and never forget you. Your legacy will live on, we will make sure of it! Rest in perfect peace Diogo and Andre."