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Roberto Martinez has pledged to try and fulfil the late Diogo Jota's dream by clinching the World Cup with Portugal. The Liverpool hero, who tragically lost his life in a car crash along with his brother Andre Silva in July, was part of the victorious Portuguese team that won the Nations League, beating Spain in the final in June.

The football world was left grieving less than a month later when news of Jota and his brother's fatal accident broke. Martinez's squad recently gathered for the first time since the heartbreaking incident for their World Cup qualifying matches against Armenia and Hungary.

Ahead of the games, ex-Everton manager Martinez paid a touching tribute to Jota, sharing that one of his remaining football ambitions was to win the World Cup in North America next year.

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"We all experience grief differently. It was incredible and very emotional," said Martinez about the team's reunion. "The team won [the Nations League] and Diogo Jota was part of the victory and built the locker room.

"He's a strength for us, a source of motivation, because he wanted to win the World Cup. It was an emotional, difficult, but beautiful match.

"We have the responsibility to fight for the Portuguese people, as we always do, but also for Diogo. And that is a very special strength."

Jota's character, professionalism and good nature have been highlighted following his death. Martinez says the team will continue to live by those values as a tribute to him.

The former Belgium boss added: "It hit the entire football family in Portugal extremely hard, but also the wider football world. The messages and outpouring of affection for Diogo showed what sort of person he was.

"He was able to reach so many families in so many places. We now have a duty to make sure that Diogo is always with us whenever the national team comes together. We want to carry forward his values, which helped us win the Nations League, because he was a true leader in the dressing room.

"His strength, battling spirit and determination must always remain with us. This first camp will inevitably trigger a range of emotions because not having Diogo there will be very hard, especially given the tragic circumstances.

"Losing Diogo and his brother, Andre Silva, has been painful for all of us and a harsh life lesson. What matters now is that we get to fight for one of his dreams, which is winning the World Cup. There's no greater motivation than keeping his spirit alive in the national team."

Portugal secured victories in their opening World Cup qualifiers, thrashing Armenia 5-0 and edging past Hungary 3-2. Martinez's squad host Ireland and Hungary next month.

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