Diogo Jota revealed the emotional meaning behind his last Liverpool goal in a touching interview before his death in a car crash.
Jota and his brother Andre Silva died when their Lamborghini went off the road in the accident in northern Spain on July 3.
The Portugal forward was on his way back to England to start pre-season training after helping Liverpool win the Premier League title last term.
Jota’s final goal for Liverpool was the vital winner in the Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield in April.
Speaking in an interview just weeks before his death, Jota admitted he felt proud to be able to contribute to Arne Slot’s team by scoring in such an important game.
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“It was a very tough season for me but I was always there fighting and I could help the team that day and I’m proud of what I could still do,” he said in the documentary titled “Champions 24-25: The Inside Story”.
“It’s hard to describe. That’s the feeling I look for when I play football, that’s why you put all your life and all your efforts to moments like that, moments where you can decide an important game.”
Jota, 28, spent five years with Liverpool after joining from Wolves in 2020.
He won the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup during his time at Anfield.
“It is something I could not even dream as a kid, I wanted to play in the Premier League but I could never imagine to win it,” Jota said in the documentary about his Liverpool success.
“Pictures that will be shown forever. It is a remarkable achievement for a small guy that came from Gondomar, where I had this dream.”
Liverpool have posthumously retired his number 20 shirt and the club have announced that Jota will be remembered with a permanent sculpture outside Anfield, while a mural of the star already adorns the wall of a building near the stadium.
European champions Paris Saint-Germain said on Tuesday they have signed Ukrainian centre-back Illia Zabarnyi from Premier League club Bournemouth.
British media reports said the deal was worth around £57 million ($76.7 million, 66 million euros).
“Paris Saint-Germain are excited to welcome Illia Zabarnyi,” PSG said in a statement, adding he would be the first Ukrainian ever to play for the club.
The arrival of Zabarnyi, 22, could jeopardise the place of Brazilian stalwart Marquinhos in the starting lineup.
Zabarnyi had an impressive 2024-2025 season in England when Bournemouth finished ninth and the club’s supporters voted him their player of the season in the previous campaign.
Bournemouth have now sold three of their first-choice defensive lineup from last season after Milos Kerkez moved to Premier League champions Liverpool and Dean Huijsen was transferred to Real Madrid.
Qatar-owned PSG, who thrashed Inter Milan 5-0 to win the Champions League for the first time in May, also signed highly-rated Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier last Saturday, a move that appears to herald the possible departure of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The Italian international ‘keeper has not been included in the squad for Wednesday’s European Super Cup final against Europa League winners Tottenham in Italy.
The absence of the 26-year-old, who was outstanding in PSG’s march to European glory, could ignite interest from the Premier League heavyweights.
Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly both interested.
Disgraced former Premier League referee David Coote has been given an eight-week suspension by the Football Association and told to attend an education programme over disparaging comments he made about ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
Coote was sacked in December by Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) after a video circulated on social media the previous month of him making derogatory remarks about Klopp and Liverpool in 2020.
He has been further sanctioned by the FA for an “aggravated breach” of rule E3.2, because of the reference he made to Klopp’s German nationality in the video.
The FA’s written reasons for the verdict announced Tuesday said Coote expressed “deep remorse” and acknowledged his comments were “crass and inappropriate”.
Coote was charged by the FA in June, with the English game’s ruling body saying at the time he would face no further action in regard to separate allegations of gambling misconduct, which he had strenuously denied. The FA said those allegations had been fully investigated.
A video showing Coote snorting white powder, reportedly during Euro 2024, emerged in November.
Earlier this year European football’s governing body UEFA banned Coote from any officiating activity until June 2026.
In a January interview Coote came out as gay and said his struggle to hide his sexuality had contributed to bad choices.
Japanese boxing officials said on Tuesday they would introduce urine tests, stricter rules on weight loss to prevent dehydration, and improve medical cover at bouts following the deaths of two fighters.
The new measures were adopted during an emergency meeting of the Japan Pro Boxing Association (JPBA), the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC), and gym owners on Tuesday.
It was convened after super featherweight Shigetoshi Kotari and lightweight Hiromasa Urakawa, both 28, died days after brain surgery on injuries they sustained in separate bouts at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall on August 2.
The exact cause of the boxers’ deaths is to be determined, but dehydration caused by cutting weight rapidly is regarded as a factor in making the brain more susceptible to bleeding, according to the World Boxing Association.
The deaths were “really regrettable,” said JPBA president Shoji Kobayashi. “We gathered today to establish a plan towards zero accidents.”
New measures to be implemented as soon as possible include urine tests for measuring dehydration and stricter rules on boxers’ rapid weight loss, said Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, secretary-general of the JBC.
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Ambulances will also be required on site, even for non-world championship bouts. They will partner with hospitals that are equipped to perform emergency surgery for head and other injuries.
There will also be new rules on how long before a fight sparring must be stopped during training, he said.
Officials decided “to take all measures possible so we do not let the deaths of the two be in vain,” Yasukochi added.
Kotari collapsed and later died after going 12 rounds in an Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title fight. The JBC had already announced all future OPBF title bouts would be reduced to 10 rounds.
“That such an incident occurred involving top-level boxers means we may face arguments that boxing should be halted,” admitted Toshiharu Kayama, former Japan welterweight champion and president of the boxing gym Ebisu K’s Box.
“We, the association and gyms, want to think and change” the way the sport is contested, Kayama said.
An accident investigation committee will work to find out the cause of the boxers’ deaths later this month and guidance on prevention measures will be updated, Yasukochi said.
The JBC and JPBA will also hold a safety meeting later this month, which will include the organisations’ doctors as well as the amateur boxing federation, he added.
Reigning Spanish champions Barcelona completed their pre-season preparations by thrashing Italian side Como 5-0 on Sunday in a game which signalled a thawing of relations with goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
Barca also gave Marcus Rashford a substitute’s appearance two weeks after the England forward joined on loan from Manchester United.
Double strikes from Fermín Lopez and Lamine Yamal and a first-half goal from Brazilian Raphinha completed the rout in the Joan Gamper Trophy.
Barcelona players pose with their trophy after winning the 60th Joan Gamper Trophy football match between FC Barcelona and Como 1907 at Johan Cruyff Stadium in Barcelona on August 10, 2025. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP)
Played at the Johan Cruyff Stadium within the team’s training complex, while Barcelona wait for the heavily delayed modernisation of the Camp Nou to be completed, Hansi Flick’s team showed fluency as they prepare to begin their Liga title defence away to Mallorca on Saturday.
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Barcelona’s German coach Hans-Dieter Flick (L) gives the microphone to Barcelona’s German goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen before the 60th Joan Gamper Trophy football match between FC Barcelona and Como 1907 at Johan Cruyff Stadium in Barcelona on August 10, 2025. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP)
Before kickoff on Sunday, Ter Stegen gave the traditional captain’s speech from the pitch, just days after his dispute with the club over the handling of his back injury broke to the surface.
“I think it was important to resolve the issue between the club and me, and now it’s time to look forward,” said the 33-year-old German goalkeeper, two days after having the captaincy restored.
“We’re going to fight again for all the trophies and we hope that with your help we can win all the titles possible,” Ter Stegen told the fans.
Rashford suffered mixed fortunes, providing the cross for Raphinha to score but also blowing the chance to tap into an empty net.
Crystal Palace twice came from behind to stun a new-look Liverpool and win the Community Shield for the first time on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Wembley on Sunday.
New signings Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong scored for the Premier League champions, but Palace responded through Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr before winning an error-strewn shootout 3-2.
Mohamed Salah blazed over from the spot, while Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott were denied by an inspired Dean Henderson as Palace built on winning their first ever major trophy by beating Manchester City in May’s FA Cup final.
Liverpool’s Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah hits his penalty over the bar in the shoot-out during the English FA Community Shield football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium, in London on August 10, 2025. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
The traditional curtain-raiser to the English football season was given extra significance after a summer marked by tragedy for Liverpool.
Forward Diogo Jota was killed in a car accident alongside his brother, Andre Silva.
Diogo Jota’s wife Rute Cardoso (C) follows the coffin of Portuguese football player Diogo Jota carried out of the church after the funeral ceremony of Liverpool’s Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva at the Mother Church of Gondomar, on the outskirts of Porto, on July 5, 2025. (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP)
Reds legend Ian Rush and Palace chairman Steve Parish laid wreaths on the side of the pitch before kick-off, while the Liverpool end was awash with banners and flags paying tribute to the Portuguese international.
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Crystal Palace’s players celebrate with the trophy after Palace win the English FA Community Shield football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium, in London on August 10, 2025. Palace won the penalty shoot-out 3-2 after the game finished 2-2 in 90 minutes. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
A minute’s silence, however, had to be cut short due to disturbances in the crowd.
Jota’s death has dampened the excitement over Liverpool’s transfer spending spree to build on a squad that romped to a record-equalling 20th league title last season.
All four of their new signings for £260 million ($350 million) — Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez — started.
Ekitike’s role this season could depend on whether Liverpool are successful in their pursuit of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.
But the Frenchman — signed from Eintracht Frankfurt last month for an initial £69 million — did his case to be Slot’s preferred number nine no harm at all.
Wirtz also bagged his first assist for the Reds when Ekitike spun onto the German’s pass and fired into the far corner just four minutes.
Palace were making their first ever appearance in the fixture, but the Eagles again showed their ability to match one of the Premier League’s giants over 90 minutes.
Mateta missed a glorious chance to level when he failed to beat Alisson Becker one-on-one.
Liverpool unbalanced
Crystal Palace’s French striker #14 Jean-Philippe Mateta (C) is tackled by Liverpool’s Brazilian goalkeeper #01 Alisson Becker (L) during the English FA Community Shield football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium, in London on August 10, 2025. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP).
But from the rebound, Sarr charged into the box and was tripped by an out-of-sorts Virgil van Dijk.
Mateta coolly sent Alisson the wrong way from the penalty spot to equalise.
Liverpool’s players were sporting a “Forever 20” emblem, referencing Jota’s now-retired shirt number, that they will wear all season.
The Liverpool fans had risen to chant Jota’s name as the game entered the 20th minute when their side retook the lead.
Liverpool players look forward to the penalty shoot out during the English FA Community Shield football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium, in London on August 10, 2025. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
Frimpong’s chipped cross caught out Henderson and flew into the far corner.
Ekitike wasted a great chance for his second early in the second half from another Wirtz pass, as this time he fired over.
However, Slot’s new-look side are still to find the right balance between attack and defence as has been evidenced during pre-season.
Palace were a constant threat with balls in behind the Reds’ defence and levelled again 13 minutes from time.
Sarr sped onto Adam Wharton’s through ball and calmly slotted past Alisson for his fourth goal in seven games against Liverpool.
Liverpool also survived a VAR review for a penalty against Mac Allister for handball before the match went to a shootout without extra time.
Youngster Justin Devenny was the unlikely hero as he blasted the winning spot-kick high past Alisson, showing Salah, Mac Allister, and Elliott how it is done.
