"Jota and I formed a great friendship" - Luis Díaz responds to criticism after missing teammate's funeral

Liverpool forward Luis Díaz returned to England on Sunday to begin preparations for the new season.

Over the weekend, he faced criticism for attending a party while Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva, were being laid to rest.

At the party, attended by influencers working with the Colombian national team's content creation team, Díaz danced but also paid tribute to his teammate.

"It's very difficult to receive news like this, it's very sad. No one is prepared for this. He was a key partner when I arrived at Liverpool because his family welcomed me, he did too, and we became great friends.

We had a great, healthy rivalry, and that was important," Díaz told WinSportsTV at the party, via Abola.

"I just want to wish his family, his wife and his children a lot of strength because they must be suffering greatly with this terrible news. It's very difficult.

"When I woke up and saw the news, I had tears in my eyes," he continued, recalling the support he received from the Portuguese forward when his father was kidnapped in Colombia in 2023. Jota dedicated a goal to Díaz and celebrated with his jersey.

"He had a very beautiful gesture for me, and I will always remember that. I want to tell him to rest in peace and that I will carry a great friend in my heart, and that he will always be remembered by his team," he concluded.