LiverpoolJust Ed Sheeran, sitting quietly at a piano in the middle of a packed stadium, his voice trembling slightly as he began to speak:
The tribute took place during Ed Sheeran’s concert in Lisbon on July 5, just three days after the tragic passing of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother André, who were killed in a car crash in Spain.
While Ed and Jota had never worked together publicly, they shared a quiet bond, formed through mutual admiration and the occasional late-night conversation during matches at Anfield.
Ed Sheeran, a passionate football supporter and honorary Liverpool fan, had once described Jota as “a silent storm on the pitch” in a past interview.
That deep respect turned into heartbreak the moment the news of Jota’s death emerged.The crowd at the Lisbon concert had no expectations of a tribute, but Ed, known for his emotional sincerity, used music to express what words alone could not.Midway through the show, he paused his performance and addressed the audience in English, his voice marked with a Portuguese accent:
“There’s someone from this country who gave joy — not just in football, but in life. Diogo Jota wasn’t only a footballer. He was a father, a brother, and a dreamer. Tonight, we remember him.”
At that moment, the lights faded to Liverpool red, and Ed began a moving rendition of “Photograph,” adapting some of the lyrics to mark the moment:“We keep this love in a photograph / We made these memories for ourselves…Your boots won’t walk these fields again / But your fire never left.”As images of Jota appeared behind him — scenes of goals, family time, and his younger years — the stadium fell into a solemn silence.
Several Liverpool players present, including Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Díaz, were seen visibly emotional, holding each other for support.
During the performance, the audience began to chant Jota’s name on their own. Ed stepped away from the microphone, allowing the chant to rise and fill the stadium.He returned only to quietly say:“This one’s for a lion we lost too soon.”
In a world that often struggles to mourn its heroes, Ed Sheeran managed to express a nation’s grief — not with spectacle, but through heartfelt music and quiet remembrance.
Later that night, Ed posted a single photo on Instagram: Jota’s jersey draped gently over his piano stool, accompanied by a simple caption:“Rest easy, Diogo. You made your dream count.
Now we’ll carry it for you.”Sometimes the most powerful tribute requires no grand display — only a voice, a guitar, and the courage to sing through sorrow.
