On July 3, 2025, the football community was struck by profound grief when Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his younger brother André Silva tragically lost their lives in a car accident in Zamora, Spain. The devastating loss of the 28-year-old Portuguese star, who had just married his childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso on June 22, sent shockwaves through Liverpool FC and beyond. Among those most deeply affected was Jota’s close friend and teammate, Kostas Tsimikas, who unveiled a poignant tattoo tribute on July 5, inked on his left hand with four words and a number: “Wish you were here, 20.” This heartfelt gesture, revealed by Puerto Ink Athens, has moved fans, players, and the wider footballing world to tears, encapsulating the enduring bond between two players who became brothers on and off the pitch.
A Bond Forged at Anfield
Kostas Tsimikas, a 29-year-old Greek left-back, and Diogo Jota joined Liverpool in the summer of 2020, arriving as relative newcomers to the Premier League. Tsimikas came from Olympiacos, while Jota transferred from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and their simultaneous arrival fostered a deep friendship. As Tsimikas recalled in an emotional Instagram post on July 4, “We moved to the club in the same period. We were the new boys in the city. We’ve shared and celebrated some of our best moments of our careers together.” Their on-field chemistry was evident, with Tsimikas’ precise crosses often finding Jota, who famously told him, “You cross, I score,” a moment they laughed about after a goal.
The pair played together in 54 matches, combining for four goals, and their partnership on Liverpool’s left flank became a hallmark of their time under Jürgen Klopp. Off the pitch, their bond grew stronger, with Tsimikas describing Jota as “a special player, a special guy, a true legend.” This closeness was reflected in the Liverpool squad’s tight-knit culture, which shone through in the wake of Jota’s passing. The club’s decision to retire Jota’s No. 20 shirt across all levels, following consultation with his widow and family, underscored his lasting impact.
The Tattoo: A Silent Tribute
Just two days after Jota’s tragic death, Tsimikas visited Puerto Ink Athens, a renowned tattoo parlor, to etch a permanent memorial on his left hand. The tattoo, simple yet profound, features the words “Wish you were here” alongside Jota’s No. 20, a nod to his iconic Liverpool shirt number. Also included are the initials of Tsimikas’ late agent, Andreas Kyriakopoulos, adding another layer of personal loss. Puerto Ink shared the tattoo on Instagram with a moving caption: “Some bonds are beyond football. This one’s forever. From teammates to brothers. From Greece to England. From dreams to Anfield. They rose together. They laughed, fought, worked, and lived the moments most can only dream of. Until fate decided to stop one of them far too soon.”
The post, which concluded with “Rest easy, Jota. You’ll never walk alone,” struck a chord with fans, amassing thousands of likes and comments. Tsimikas did not publicly announce the tattoo himself, but it was spotted during Liverpool’s pre-season friendly against Preston North End on July 13. He showed the ink to teammates Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Federico Chiesa during a closed-door drill, a quiet moment that spoke volumes about the squad’s collective grief. The tattoo’s visibility during the match, where a minute’s silence was held and players wore black armbands, amplified its emotional weight, with fans on X noting its understated power. One user, @LFC_Declan_, wrote, “So much class from Tsimi,” while another, @ThaEuropeanLad, called it a moment that showed “this game can be beautiful.”
The Tragic Loss of Diogo Jota
Diogo Jota’s death, alongside his brother André Silva, 25, occurred when their Lamborghini suffered a tire blowout while traveling through Spain. Jota, advised by medical professionals to drive rather than fly following off-season lung surgery, was en route to a ferry back to the UK for Liverpool’s pre-season training. The accident, which a preliminary police report suggested involved speeding, has been questioned by a truck driver witness, adding uncertainty to the tragedy’s circumstances. Jota left behind his wife, Rute Cardoso, and their three children: sons Dinis, 4, and Duarte, 2, and daughter Mafalda, just 8 months old.
On July 22, marking one month since their wedding, Rute posted a heartbreaking tribute on Instagram: “One month of our ‘until death do us part.’ Forever, your white girl,” accompanied by photos from their June 22 ceremony in Porto. The funeral in Gondomar, Portugal, saw Liverpool players, including Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, and Tsimikas, attend to honor Jota and André, carrying floral tributes with their shirt numbers. The football world united in grief, with tributes from former clubs Porto, Atlético Madrid, and Wolverhampton Wanderers, where a permanent memorial for the brothers is planned.
Liverpool’s Collective Mourning
Liverpool’s response to Jota’s death has been marked by profound respect and remembrance. The club scaled back media engagements during their pre-season tour in Hong Kong and Japan, deeming a typical schedule inappropriate as players and staff processed their loss. During the Preston friendly, Darwin Núñez honored Jota by mimicking his celebration after scoring, while the club anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” echoed through Deepdale. Murals have sprung up around Anfield, including one by Murwalls and another by John Culshaw at the Halfway House pub, capturing Jota’s vibrant spirit in reds and golds. A third, by Paul Curtis on Lyon Road, depicts Jota and André together, a testament to their shared legacy.
Tributes extended beyond Liverpool. Porto and Atlético Madrid will hold a friendly on August 3 in the brothers’ honor, while Wolves planned tributes for their August 9 friendly against Celta Vigo and their Premier League opener against Manchester City on August 16. Cristiano Ronaldo, a fellow Portuguese star, shared a heartfelt message, calling Jota a “fantastic boy.” Former teammates Jordan Henderson and James Milner also attended the funeral, reflecting the widespread admiration for Jota’s character.
Tsimikas’ Emotional Journey
Tsimikas’ tattoo is not his only tribute to Jota. On July 4, he posted a gut-wrenching Instagram message alongside an image of Jota’s No. 20 shirt at the crash site: “My heart and my prayers are with your Rute, your boys, your little girl, your family and everyone who loved and waited for you both to go home. You and your brother André will be missed forever.” This post, liked by thousands, highlighted the depth of their friendship, with Tsimikas recalling shared laughter and career milestones, including Liverpool’s 2022 FA Cup win, which he also commemorated with a tattoo.
The Greek defender, known for his quiet demeanor and loyalty, has become a symbol of the squad’s grief. His tattoo, as Puerto Ink noted, is “a piece of love, pain, memory—carved in silence, worn with pride.” Fans on X praised his gesture, with @athletiko_gr writing, “With this tattoo, Kostas Tsimikas honors the memory of his lost friend Diogo Jota, promising ‘You’ll never walk alone.’” Another, @FandomID_, described it as “a silent expression of grief for his friend,” capturing the universal sentiment of loss.
A Lasting Legacy
Diogo Jota’s legacy at Liverpool is etched in his contributions to their 2024/25 Premier League title, FA Cup, and two EFL Cups. His final goal, a Merseyside derby winner, remains a cherished memory for fans. Tsimikas’ tattoo ensures that Jota’s presence endures, a permanent reminder of a player who was more than a teammate—a brother. As Liverpool prepares for the new season, facing AC Milan on July 26 and Bournemouth on August 15, Jota’s spirit will linger at Anfield, immortalized in ink, murals, and the hearts of those he touched.
The football world’s response, from Tsimikas’ tearful tribute to the global outpouring of love, underscores the profound impact of Jota’s life and loss. His No. 20, now retired, and Tsimikas’ tattooed words, “Wish you were here,” serve as enduring symbols of a bond that transcends the game, moving fans to tears and proving that some friendships, as Puerto Ink wrote, are “forever.”
