Luis Díaz Breaks Silence Amid Controversy Over Missing Diogo Jota’s Funeral

Just days ago, on July 6, 2025, the football world was gripped by grief as Liverpool’s Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva were laid to rest in Gondomar, Portugal, following their tragic deaths in a car accident on July 3. The crash, involving a Lamborghini Huracán that suffered a tire blowout and burst into flames, claimed the lives of the 28-year-old striker and his 26-year-old brother, leaving behind Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, and their three young children. As tributes poured in from across the globe, Liverpool’s squad, including stars like Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, and manager Arne Slot, gathered to honor their teammate. However, one notable absence sparked a firestorm of controversy: Colombian winger Luis Díaz, who chose not to attend the funeral, instead appearing at a public event in Barranquilla, Colombia. The backlash was swift and fierce, amplified by a viral video showing Díaz dancing with influencers at the “Copa Creadores de Contenido,” a friendly football tournament. Now, Díaz has broken his silence, addressing the criticism and reflecting on the profound loss of his friend and teammate.

Díaz, who has been a key figure at Liverpool since joining from Porto in 2022, spoke to Colombian outlet WinSportsTV, his voice heavy with emotion. “It’s very difficult to receive news like this, very sad,” he said. “No one is prepared for something like this. He was a key figure when I arrived at Liverpool—his family welcomed me, and we became close friends.” Díaz’s words underscored the bond he shared with Jota, who had famously supported him during a dark period in 2023 when Díaz’s father was kidnapped by the ELN guerrilla group in Colombia. After scoring against Nottingham Forest, Jota held up Díaz’s jersey in a heartfelt gesture of solidarity, a moment Díaz said he would “never forget.” Yet, despite this history, Díaz’s decision to attend a promotional event on the day of Jota’s funeral drew sharp criticism from fans and media alike. “It hurts, because Jota won over the hearts of Colombians that day. Sadly, Luis Díaz lost the hearts of the Reds today,” one supporter wrote on X, capturing the sentiment of betrayal felt by many Liverpool fans.

The event in Barranquilla, where Díaz was seen laughing and dancing with influencers, was part of a commercial commitment tied to his sponsorship deals. Social media posts, including one from influencer Jhdelac Ruz with over 780,000 followers, showed Díaz in the same outfit he wore during his WinSportsTV interview, confirming the timeline. The optics were damning: while teammates like Rúben Neves and João Cancelo flew from the FIFA Club World Cup to attend the funeral, Díaz’s presence at a festive event struck many as insensitive. “There’s room for everything, but when things like this happen, the least you should do as a human being is be present,” one fan posted on X. Another pointed out the contrast: “Ruben Neves carried Jota’s coffin after flying in from the US. Díaz was dancing with influencers.” The criticism wasn’t limited to Liverpool supporters; even Colombian media outlets, like Futbolred, questioned Díaz’s judgment, noting the timing of his public appearance.

In his interview, Díaz acknowledged the pain of Jota’s loss, revealing he “broke down in tears” upon hearing the news. “It was incredible when I woke up and saw the news. The truth is I broke down in tears. It was a very, very big pain,” he said. He also extended his condolences: “I want to send a lot of strength to his family, his wife, his children, because they are suffering a lot with this.” Yet, Díaz stopped short of apologizing for his absence or addressing the event directly, which some fans felt was a missed opportunity to quell the backlash. Reports suggest logistical challenges, such as limited flight options from Colombia to Portugal, may have played a role, with layovers potentially taking up to 24 hours. However, critics argued that skipping the promotional event would have been a more respectful choice, especially given Jota’s support during Díaz’s personal crisis.

The controversy has also fueled speculation about Díaz’s future at Liverpool. Rumors of a potential transfer to Bayern Munich or Barcelona have intensified, with some fans even suggesting his actions reflect a desire to leave the club. “If Luis Díaz wants to go, let him go,” one X user wrote, while another called him “insensitive.” Despite this, Díaz told WinSportsTV, “Nothing is finalized yet. I’m happy where I am now, but we’ll see what happens,” leaving his future uncertain. For now, the 28-year-old winger faces the challenge of rebuilding trust with fans who feel let down by his actions. As Liverpool prepares for a subdued pre-season, the loss of Jota and the fallout from Díaz’s choices cast a long shadow over the club, reminding everyone that even in grief, the choices of public figures are scrutinized under a relentless spotlight.