Jurgen Klopp confirms that Diogo Jota will miss the World Cup following injury vs Manchester City. (Photo by PEDJA MILOSAVLJEVIC/AFP via Getty Images)
Diogo Jota has revealed he received a message from his former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp after a “special” goal was ruled out for Portugal, as quoted in a report from Portuguese outlet O’Jogo.
The forward, 27, came on as a second-half substitute against Czechia and thought he had headed Portugal to a late victory in their 2024 European Championships opener on Tuesday and celebrated the news that his partner is pregnant will their third child by tucking the ball under his shirt and sucking his thumb, only to be ruled out for offside.
Though his goal was chalked off, Portugal went on to win the game 2-1 earlier this week thanks to a stoppage-time strike from substitute Francisco Conceicao.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of Portugal’s second group-stage game against Turkey on Saturday, Diogo Jota stated that Jurgen Klopp had texted him after the win over Czechia.
“By chance he sent a message after the first game. He is a coach who doesn’t miss anything, he knows the moments when he should talk to the players. It was a word of support for my goal being disallowed and have a special meaning for me. But then we won the three points, that was the most important thing,” Jota told in a national team press conference, as relayed by O’Jogo.
Jurgen Klopp contacting Diogo Jota after Portugal’s first win of the 2024 Euros says a lot about the ex-Liverpool manager’s character and personality. It speaks volumes about the German’s quality as a man as well as a manager that he thought of texting the star Liverpool forward right away upon hearing the news of his partner’s pregnancy.
Klopp’s relationship with our players and fans will always be strong. Even if he is miles away, the 57-year-old knows his former players can hugely benefit from his piece of information or advice, as evidenced by Jota’s comments.
Meanwhile, Jota will be pushing to start Portugal’s second Group F game against Turkey at the weekend, having made an impactful appearance off the bench in the 2-1 win over Czechia. Turkey are level on points with Portugal having beaten Georgia 3-1, so Roberto Martinez and Co. are expected to face a tougher task on Saturday.
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