Professional footballer and founder of Ballers in God, John Bostock, pays tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who tragically died in a motorcar accident in Spain
It is with deep sadness that I write this tribute following the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva. Although I didn’t have the opportunity to meet or play against Diogo or André, the news of the car crash that claimed both of their lives has been heartbreaking. Moments like this force all of us, especially those of us in the football world, to pause, reflect and truly feel the weight of life and loss.
Diogo was more than a top player. He was a star for Liverpool, admired not just for his ability on the pitch, but for the way he carried himself. His brother André was also pursuing his dream in football, playing for Penafiel in Portugal. Both were young, gifted and full of potential. Diogo had only recently got married and was a devoted father to three beautiful children. The pain of this loss is difficult to put into words.
Life is incredibly precious. And this tragedy reminds us just how fragile it is. One moment everything feels secure, familiar and full of promise. The next, everything can change. James 4:14 says: “What is your life? It is even a vapour, that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” These moments confront us with a sobering truth: we are not in control, and our time here is never guaranteed.
More than life
As professional footballers, we are trained to push through pain, stay focused, and keep moving forward. But this is different. A loss like this makes you stop. It forces you to think deeply about what truly matters: faith, family, eternity and the condition of our hearts.
From everything I’ve heard, it was clear that Diogo and André were not only talented athletes, but also carried a belief in God. We don’t know exactly where they stood with Jesus in their final moments, but we hold on to the sincere hope that they knew him as Lord and Saviour before this tragedy and that they are now in the embrace of the King of Heaven. For those who are in Christ, we lean on the promise of 2 Corinthians 5:8: “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”
Life is short. Eternity is real. We are not just athletes or professionals. We are souls
At Ballers in God, this loss hits particularly hard. In recent years, we have already had to say goodbye to two dear brothers in our movement. They were not just teammates or peers. They were brothers in Christ. We worshipped together, prayed together and grew together. And now, we face another painful goodbye. It hurts.
Even in the midst of this pain, we hold on to what we know: God is near. He is not distant or indifferent. The Bible tells us that he is close to the brokenhearted. He grieves with us. He collects our tears. And he invites us to walk with him through sorrow, not to push us away but to draw us closer to his heart. Even when we do not understand, he remains good. Even in the darkness, he is still light.
Our final home
We must also recognise the reality of spiritual warfare. The enemy of our souls is real. We live in a world where there is a constant battle for people’s lives, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Tragic moments like this call us to be alert and prayerful, especially in the football world. They stir us to stand firm in faith and be bold in love and witness. But we also know this: Jesus has overcome. Even in our deepest sorrow, he remains victorious.
Tonight, across the Ballers in God family, from the UK to Europe and beyond, we are coming together in prayer. We are lifting up the Jota and Silva families, and all those affected by this heartbreaking loss. We are asking God to bring comfort, peace and strength. And we are standing in unity, trusting that even in the worst of times, God is still at work.
Even in the midst of this pain, we hold on to what we know: God is near. He is not distant or indifferent
To anyone reading this who has also experienced loss, I want you to know this: I see you. You are not alone. Your grief matters. And God sees it too. He is not afraid of your pain or your questions. He invites you to bring it all to him. He alone is the one who can truly heal our hearts.
Let this moment call us back to what matters most. Life is short. Eternity is real. We are not just athletes or professionals. We are souls. Hebrews 13:14 says: “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” This world is not our final home. Let us not waste time. Let us love deeply, forgive quickly and live ready. If you are unsure where you stand with God, now is the time to seek him. He is closer than you think.
May this tragedy awaken hearts and draw people towards the one who conquered the grave.
Those who walk with Jesus never walk alone.
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