Roberto Martinez insists ‘Diogo Jota is with us’ as Portugal win first game since forward's death

Roberto Martinez said "Diogo Jota is with us" after Portugal beat Armenia 5-0 in their first game since the forward's passing. Portugal skipper Cristiano Ronaldo netted in the game’s 21st minute, which Martinez considered a "sign" given Jota's squad number on international duty was '21'. Liverpool star Jota and his younger brother Andre Silva died in a car accident in July.

Roberto Martinez insisted "Diogo Jota is with us" in the wake of Portugal’s first game since the Liverpool attacker’s death. 

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix each struck twice as Martinez’s side dispatched Armenia 5-0 in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier. 

The encounter carried an extra poignancy, as the first Portugal match since the death of Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva in a car accident in July.

A minute’s silence was held before kick-off in honour of Jota, who won 49 caps for Portugal, while banners were on display throughout the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in memory of the Liverpool forward.

Jota’s close friend Ruben Neves swapped his usual shirt number to ‘21’, the number the late-forward donned for Portugal. 

And the tributes came to life in spectacular fashion, as Portugal skipper Ronaldo netted in the game’s 21st minute.

"Diogo Jota is with us," Martinez said, as per GOAL. "Being able to score in the 21st minute was special. 

'A source of motivation' - Portugal coach Martinez on Jota

Video credit: SNTV

"We continue on our journey. I really believe [in coincidences]. 

"Diogo's spirit is with us, it was a sign, in the 21st minute and we scored. We felt Diogo Jota from the first day of the training camp and his strength and motivation."

Joao Cancelo scored the third of Portugal’s five goals, before performing Jota’s signature ‘video-game’ celebration, a moment which drew applause from the stands. 

Robertson: We'll probably never get over Jota's death

Earlier this week, Jota’s Liverpool team-mate Andy Robertson admitted the Reds squad will "probably never get over" Jota's death.

"I don't think anyone could care less about football when things like that happen," said Scotland skipper Robertson via the BBC. 

"Such a shock. Devastating for his family first and foremost but obviously devastating for us as a group of lads.

"It puts life into perspective as to what's important - spending time with your family, spending time with your kids, because you never know what's around the corner."

He continued: "It's the toughest thing we'll ever go through. Losing one of your closest mates for me was hugely difficult and it's something we'll probably never get over but it's just something that we have to carry with us.

"We have to carry the memories we've got with us and as long as we continue to do that, then it'll always be in our thoughts. He will always be in our hearts.

"It didn't influence my decision [to stay at Liverpool]. The decision was already made before the tragedy but I knew in that moment that the club needed me.

Diogo Jota

Image credit: Getty Images

"I know I am one of the leaders in the team and I have obviously been made vice-captain now.

"It's going to take a lot this season. I know football was irrelevant but if you take the football out of it, even as lads in the changing room, we are all going to need help during the season.

"We've already had difficult moments in terms of the first time in front of fans, having to go to your team-mate's funeral which is absolute madness to even say, and everything else that followed.

"I know the leaders in that changing room have got a big job to do in terms of trying to help everyone as a club and even Diogo's family through this massively difficult moment.

"It won't get easier but maybe we can numb the pain a little bit as time goes on. It's up to us as leaders to try and guide us through that."

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