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Real Madrid have reached the Club World Cup semi-finals as Trent Alexander-Arnold paid tribute to late friend Diogo Jota.
Trent Alexander-Arnold says former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota "was there with me" in spirit as he helped Real Madrid secure a place in the Club World Cup semi-finals just days after the tragic death of the Portuguese forward.
The England full-back, who joined Real Madrid from Liverpool in June, assisted Fran Garcia’s decisive goal in their 3-2 quarter-final victory over Borussia Dortmund in New Jersey.
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But the triumph was overshadowed by grief, as Alexander-Arnold played with a heavy heart following news that Jota, 28, and his younger brother Andre Silva, 25, had died in a car crash in Portugal last Thursday.
Speaking after the match, Alexander-Arnold described the past days as “extremely difficult” but said he knew Jota would have wanted him to carry on and do his job on the pitch.
The pair spent five years together at Liverpool, forging a close bond both professionally and personally.
"I had to try to perform for the team and help them win the game, no matter how difficult it was," Alexander-Arnold told DAZN after the final whistle as per BBC.
"As hard as it was to do it, I had to push myself to focus on what my job and role was. I tried to do it as best as I could, but it was difficult and I am not going to lie about that."
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'He Was There With Me': Heartfelt Tribute Amid Club World Cup Drama
Alexander-Arnold continued: "[Jota] was one of my close friends - and I am sure that's what he would have wanted me to do. I'm sure we would have had a laugh and joke about the assist as well. He was there with me, I am sure."
The England international recalled Jota as “someone who lit up the room when he was in it” and said he would always remember the “amazing memories on and off the pitch” they shared.
"I shared the dressing room with him for five years - amazing memories on and off the pitch," he added.
"It goes without saying he will never be forgotten by anyone. He will live long in all our memories for the amazing man and the player he was."
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Alexander-Arnold also spoke about the impact Jota’s loss has had not only on his family but also on the wider football community, describing it as “heartwarming” to see such widespread support and tributes pour in.
"It has been very emotional and heartwarming to see the footballing world come together to show their love and support for [Jota], his brother and their family," he said.
"I've been around him, his brother, his family, his amazing wife, his amazing parents and his amazing children. It's truly, truly heartbreaking to wake up to news like that. It's something you never expect."
Football World Unites in Mourning
Tributes to Jota were visible across European football over the weekend.
Real Madrid teammate Kylian Mbappe paid homage by gesturing the number 20 after scoring a stunning late goal, a nod to Jota’s Liverpool shirt number.
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In France, Ousmane Dembele honored the Portuguese forward by replicating his signature FIFA gaming celebration after securing Paris St-Germain’s 2-0 win over Bayern Munich, which set up a semi-final clash with Real Madrid.
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