The Portugal national football team entered their World Cup knockout qualification match against Croatia in Toronto on Thursday night with extra motivation, following a collective pact to honor their late former teammate Diogo Jota.
According to the Portuguese newspaper A Bola, the team established a silent promise to secure a victory as an emotional tribute, aligning with the anniversary of Jota's passing on July 3.
"Within the Portuguese delegation, the desire to win turned into a silent promise and a collective pact of honor that unites all players around a much greater goal.
Tonight, every run, every tackle, and every goal will carry the urgency of a sincere tribute.
They want to and will play for Diogo Jota, transforming the deep pain of longing into fuel to conquer glory on the American pitch," reported A Bola.
The 28-year-old Liverpool forward died last year alongside his brother, André Silva, in a car accident in Zamora, Spain.
The tragedy deeply affected the international football community given Jota's prominent role in Portugal's current generation of players.
The match took place in Toronto, a Canadian city home to a significant Portuguese diaspora community of approximately 200,000 residents.
The Portuguese Football Federation extended an invitation to Jota's parents to attend the team's tournament opener as guests of honor.
