Diogo Jota's parents in tears during Portugal's World Cup opener following tribute to their son

Portugal's World Cup campaign began on an emotional note, with the nation paying tribute to Diogo Jota in their opening fixture against DR Congo.The forward's parents, Isabel and Joaquim Silva, watched from the stands as guests of the Portuguese Football Federation, and became visibly emotional as screens displayed an image of their late son.Jota and his brother Andre Silva died in a car accident last year, with the former Liverpool forward being unable to play in the 2022 World Cup through injury.Every member of the Portuguese squad took to the pitch wearing commemorative bracelets bearing Jota's name alongside their own, a gesture organised by Prime Minister Luis Montenegro. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Midfielder Vitinha revealed the origin of the tribute, explaining: Basically, the story of the wristband is, when we went to meet with the prime minister, he offered us this wristband.They made sure that it was a wristband that we could wear on the pitch. It has all the specifics for us to be able to enter the pitch with it, with the name of all the players, plus the special name of Diogo Jota.He let us choose if we wanted to use it or not, how [we use it], during the day or during the match. We received it with a lot of affection, and we chose to use it.LATEST SPORTS NEWSWorld Cup day seven: England lineup confirmed against Croatia as DR Congo upset PortugalLigue 1 manager dies aged 58 as family issues statementPGA Tour and USGA issue key statement day before US OpenHead coach Roberto Martinez had already honoured the former Liverpool man by posthumously including him as an honorary member of the World Cup squad.At Jota's funeral last summer, numerous squad members gathered to pay their respects, though captain Cristiano Ronaldo stayed away deliberately.The record international goalscorer reportedly chose not to attend to ensure the focus remained on the service itself.Jota played 123 times for Liverpool, finding the net 47 times and contributed significantly to the club's Premier League title triumph in 2025.Scotland captain Andy Robertson, his former Anfield teammate, made a promise to Jota's widow, Rute Cardoso, that he would represent both of them at this tournament.The pair had watched the 2022 World Cup together at Liverpool's training ground, united by their ambition to play for their countries in 2026.Cardoso, the mother of Jota's three children, wrote about how Robertson should carry the pair's dream to the World Cup.The letter published by Fifa said: I am writing to you with a heart full of longing, gratitude and, above all, pride.Diogo often spoke of you. Of the friendship you built, the battles you fought together, the challenges, the laughter, the conversations about football and about dreams.The World Cup was one of those dreams, a dream that the two of you nurtured, side by side, with the same passion with which you took to the pitch.When I heard your words and learnt what you felt on that day when Scotland qualified for the World Cup, after so many years of waiting, I realised that Diogo never truly left the pitch.By achieving that moment and securing your place at the World Cup, you won't be going alone. You'll be taking his dream with you too. And when you step on to the pitch, I know it won't just be you walking out, Diogo will be with you in your thoughts, in your steps, in your heart.So today, I want to thank you. Thank you for not forgetting him. Thank you for taking him with you. Thank you for turning the pain of loss into strength and into something so beautiful.That's how we do it here at home too. Every day. He would be, and is, incredibly proud of you. Cherish that dream, Andy. Live it for yourself and for him.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter