Jordan Henderson marked his first goal for Brentford with a touching tribute to his former Liverpool teammate, Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in July. The midfielder's emotional celebration came during Brentford's home match against Leeds United on Sunday afternoon.
Henderson, who joined Brentford in the summer, opened the scoring for the London side at the Gtech Community Stadium. After the ball hit the back of the net, Henderson initially celebrated, but then he paid homage to Jota by sitting cross-legged on the floor and mimicking playing a video game, a celebration synonymous with the Portuguese forward. This gesture was Jota's trademark and a familiar sight to Liverpool fans during his time at Anfield. The quiet and emotional moment resonated with fans and players alike.
Diogo Jota tragically died in a car crash in Spain along with his brother, Andre Silva, while returning to Liverpool for preseason training. The loss of the Portuguese forward deeply affected the football community, with tributes pouring in from around the world. Henderson and Jota were teammates for three years at Liverpool, forging a strong bond both on and off the pitch. Following Jota's passing, Henderson laid flowers at Liverpool's home and shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, saying, "It was a pleasure to share a pitch with you but more importantly a friendship... All the laughs we had off the pitch and trying to find ways to wind [James Milner] up and get him fined".
The goal against Leeds was Henderson's first Premier League goal since December 2021. It was a significant moment for the midfielder, who also took the opportunity to honor his friend and former teammate.
The match concluded in a 1-1 draw, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalizing for Leeds United. Nevertheless, Henderson's goal and subsequent tribute to Jota became the talking point of the game, highlighting the profound impact Jota had on his teammates and the wider footballing world. Henderson's tribute serves as a reminder of the friendships forged in football and the importance of honoring those who are no longer with us.
