RAUL JIMENEZ paid tribute to his former Wolves team-mate Diogo Jota as Mexico won the Gold Cup on Sunday.
The football world remains shaken by the tragic deaths of Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva, 25, last week.
Both Jota and Silva were killed in a car accident in Spain just over a week after Jota had married his wife Rute Cardoso.
Tributes for the pair have poured in over the days that followed the tragedy and Jota’s former teammate Jimenez is the latest to give a touching nod to the Liverpool star.
Jimenez, who played with Jota for two years at Wolves, wore a shirt with his name and number on the back as he walked out onto the pitch for Mexico in the Gold Cup final against the USA.
The 34-year-old Fulham striker later scored a crucial equaliser for Mexico in the 27th minute, hammering home from close range to bring Mexico level.
And in the moment of jubilation Jimenez took another chance to honour his friend by copying Jota’s ‘Fifa’ celebration.
Jimenez mimicked playing video games in the same way that Jota previously did after scoring a 94th minute winner in a 4-3 victory over Tottenham in 2023.
Jimenez also took the shirt he was wearing during the walkout and national anthems with Jota’s name and laid it out on the floor during the celebration.
Ousmane Dembele had honoured Jota in the same way during PSG’s Club World Cup quarter-final victory over Bayern Munich.
Jota was an avid video game fan and known to be one of the best Fifa players in professional football, previously topping PlayStation’s FIFA Ultimate Team Champions leaderboard as world No1 in 2021.
Jimenez and his Mexico team-mates went on to add a second goal through West Ham midfielder Edson Alvarez, tipping the scales in their favour and winning the Gold Cup 2-1 over the USA.
Jimenez had spoken before the game about the heartbreaking loss of Jota, recalling the memories he will cherish with the Premier League champion.
He said: “He was a great teammate. We shared many beautiful moments being important parts of what Wolves achieved in those times.
“It’s very tough to learn this type of news about someone so close to you and who was a great friend.”
While he also reacted to the news on social media last week with a message that read: “It’s hard to get this kind of news and I still can’t believe it. An excellent colleague, friend and above all a great father.
“Thank you for everything friend, we will always remember you. A hug to heaven R.I.P.”
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