RUBEN NEVES revealed a heartbreaking tattoo paying homage to his late friend Diogo Jota.
The Portuguese midfielder, 28, took part in training on international duty ahead of his nation’s World Cup qualifiers.
Ruben Neves led the tributes to Diogo Jota at Portugal’s training baseReuters
X formerly Twitter / @selecaoportugalNeves revealed a new tattoo – a picture of him hugging Jota[/caption]
AFPJota’s widow Rute Cardoso helped unveil a bronze shirt in memory of him[/caption]
AFPCristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal team-mates were in attendance at the ceremony[/caption]
ReutersJota’s family were presented with a special medal[/caption]
GettyJota – who won the Nations League in his final match – died alongside his brother on July 3[/caption]
Portugal face Armenia on Saturday and then Hungary next Tuesday.
But in their first camp since the tragic death of Jota, Neves, Cristiano Ronaldo and the rest of the team paid tribute to their former star.
Jota and his brother Andre Silva died on July 3 in a car crash in Spain when they were driving to catch a ferry.
The forward, who lifted the Premier League with Liverpool in May, earned 49 caps for Portugal, the most recent the Nations League final victory over Spain on June 8.
Close pal Neves played with Jota at Wolves as well as for their country – then helped carry his coffin at his funeral.
And his new tattoo on the back of his left leg depicts him hugging Jota in an emotional tribute.
The image inked on his calf shows Neves embracing his dear pal, who is wearing his “Diogo J 21” shirt.
Neves will also take on that No21 jersey worn by Jota for Portugal to continue his friend’s legacy.
Manager Roberto Martinez explained: “The No21 jersey will go to Ruben Neves because, that way, that number will remain on the field and with all of us.
“He had a very close relationship with Diogo and is the ideal person to represent him.”
The squad also joined Portugal FA chiefs, Jota’s family and agent Jorge Mendes as well as the Portuguese President and Prime Minister for a special ceremony in honour of their deeply-missed star.
Ronaldo and Co wore suits as a mark of respect while Jota’s widow Rute Cardoso and parents were presented with a special medal before a stat.
Cardoso also helped unveil a framed bronze Jota No21 Portugal shirt on an external wall at Portugal’s training base in Lisbon.
Al-Hilal ace Neves – who sat alongside Cardoso and Jota’s family at Molineux when Wolves paid tribute to their former forward on August 16 – also delivered a touching speech in memory of Jota.
Part of the speech was also made into an emotional video by Portugal, showing Neves reading his handwritten letter to Jota with videos and pictures of the star representing his national team and laughing with team-mates.
Emotional Neves said: “Everyone in the national team felt these words to the same extent and speaking as a group, I think they fit extremely well with what our first meeting will be like.
“More than friends, we’re family.
Neves read a beautiful letter for his dear friendX formerly Twitter / @selecaoportugal
X formerly Twitter / @selecaoportugalThe handwritten note encapsulated his love for Jota[/caption]
AFPThis is the first Portugal camp since the shocking tragedy[/caption]
ReutersManager Roberto Martinez led his team through the event[/caption]
ReutersIt was an emotional occasion for the squad[/caption]
AFPAgent Jorge Mendes was in attendance[/caption]
ReutersThe President of Portugal, President of the Portugal FA and the Prime Minister all paid their respects[/caption]
“And that won’t change just because you’ve signed a contract a little farther from home.
“When we join the national team, you’ll still be with us – at the dinner table, on the bus, on the plane.
“Always by our side, just like you’ve always been.
“We’ll keep laughing, making plans and sharing life the way we always have.
“We’ll make sure you’re never missing from our lives and that your loved ones have everything they need while you’re away, thinking of us, waiting for us.
“Life brought us together and nothing can break that bond.
“We’ve already achieved so much together, and there’s still so much more ahead and we know we’ll make it.
“From today on, you’ll step on to the pitch with us and we’ll keep moving forward together on the stage where it all began.”
The video signs off with the phrase “nothing can break us apart”.
X formerly Twitter / @selecaoportugalNeves was close friends with Jota[/caption]
X formerly Twitter / @selecaoportugalA touching video showed clips of Jota with the national team[/caption]
X formerly Twitter / @selecaoportugalHe earned 49 caps and won the Nations League twice[/caption]
X formerly Twitter / @selecaoportugalNeves inked a permanent reminder of his pal on his calf[/caption]
PANeves attended Wolves’ tributes to Jota alongside Cardoso in August[/caption]
PA:Press AssociationThe pair were team-mates at Wolves and won the Championship title together[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
