Neves penned emotional letter to Jota and gave speech at touching ceremony

RUBEN NEVES revealed a heartbreaking tattoo paying homage to his late friend Diogo Jota.

The Portuguese midfielder, 28, took part in training on international duty ahead of his nation’s World Cup qualifiers.

Ruben Neves speaking at a Portuguese FA homage event.
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Ruben Neves led the tributes to Diogo Jota at Portugal’s training baseCredit: Reuters

Ruben Neves' leg tattoo of Diogo Jota.
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Neves revealed a new tattoo – a picture of him hugging JotaCredit: X formerly Twitter / @selecaoportugal

Rute Cardoso at a bronze jersey tribute to Diogo Jota.
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Jota’s widow Rute Cardoso helped unveil a bronze shirt in memory of himCredit: AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo at a tribute to Diogo Jota and Jorge Costa.
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Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal team-mates were in attendance at the ceremonyCredit: AFP

Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro presenting an award.
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Jota’s family were presented with a special medalCredit: Reuters

Diogo Jota of Portugal holding the UEFA Nations League trophy.
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Jota – who won the Nations League in his final match – died alongside his brother on July 3Credit: Getty
Portugal face Armenia on Saturday and then Hungary next Tuesday.

But in their first camp since the tragic death of Jota, Neves, Cristiano Ronaldo and the rest of the team paid tribute to their former star.

Jota and his brother Andre Silva died on July 3 in a car crash in Spain when they were driving to catch a ferry.

The forward, who lifted the Premier League with Liverpool in May, earned 49 caps for Portugal, the most recent the Nations League final victory over Spain on June 8.

Close pal Neves played with Jota at Wolves as well as for their country – then helped carry his coffin at his funeral.

And his new tattoo on the back of his left leg depicts him hugging Jota in an emotional tribute.

The image inked on his calf shows Neves embracing his dear pal, who is wearing his “Diogo J 21” shirt.

Neves will also take on that No21 jersey worn by Jota for Portugal to continue his friend’s legacy.

Manager Roberto Martinez explained: “The No21 jersey will go to Ruben Neves because, that way, that number will remain on the field and with all of us.

“He had a very close relationship with Diogo and is the ideal person to represent him.”

Ruben Neves gets heartbreaking Diogo Jota tattoo as Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal pals honour tragic Liverpool star
The squad also joined Portugal FA chiefs, Jota’s family and agent Jorge Mendes as well as the Portuguese President and Prime Minister for a special ceremony in honour of their deeply-missed star.

Ronaldo and Co wore suits as a mark of respect while Jota’s widow Rute Cardoso and parents were presented with a special medal before a stat.

Cardoso also helped unveil a framed bronze Jota No21 Portugal shirt on an external wall at Portugal’s training base in Lisbon.

Al-Hilal ace Neves – who sat alongside Cardoso and Jota’s family at Molineux when Wolves paid tribute to their former forward on August 16 – also delivered a touching speech in memory of Jota.

Part of the speech was also made into an emotional video by Portugal, showing Neves reading his handwritten letter to Jota with videos and pictures of the star representing his national team and laughing with team-mates.

Emotional Neves said: “Everyone in the national team felt these words to the same extent and speaking as a group, I think they fit extremely well with what our first meeting will be like.

“More than friends, we’re family.

Ruben Neves reading by the ocean.
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Neves read a beautiful letter for his dear friendCredit: X formerly Twitter / @selecaoportugal

Ruben Neves and another Portuguese soccer player in team uniforms.
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The handwritten note encapsulated his love for JotaCredit: X formerly Twitter / @selecaoportugal

Cristiano Ronaldo at a Portuguese FA homage event.
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This is the first Portugal camp since the shocking tragedyCredit: AFP

Portuguese soccer team members and manager Roberto Martinez at a homage event.
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Manager Roberto Martinez led his team through the eventCredit: Reuters

Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the Portuguese Football Federation President, the Prime Minister, Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portugal football team, and Diogo Jota's wife with the UEFA Nations League trophy.
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It was an emotional occasion for the squadCredit: Reuters

Jorge Mendes at a tribute event.
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Agent Jorge Mendes was in attendanceCredit: AFP

President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa with other officials.
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The President of Portugal, President of the Portugal FA and the Prime Minister all paid their respectsCredit: Reuters
“And that won’t change just because you’ve signed a contract a little farther from home.

“When we join the national team, you’ll still be with us – at the dinner table, on the bus, on the plane.

“Always by our side, just like you’ve always been.

“We’ll keep laughing, making plans and sharing life the way we always have.

“We’ll make sure you’re never missing from our lives and that your loved ones have everything they need while you’re away, thinking of us, waiting for us.

“Life brought us together and nothing can break that bond.

“We’ve already achieved so much together, and there’s still so much more ahead and we know we’ll make it.

“From today on, you’ll step on to the pitch with us and we’ll keep moving forward together on the stage where it all began.”

The video signs off with the phrase “nothing can break us apart”.

Ruben Neves speaking about Diogo Jota.
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Neves was close friends with JotaCredit: X formerly Twitter / @selecaoportugal

Ruben Neves and another Portuguese soccer player in team jerseys.
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A touching video showed clips of Jota with the national teamCredit: X formerly Twitter / @selecaoportugal

Portuguese soccer players at practice.
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He earned 49 caps and won the Nations League twiceCredit: X formerly Twitter / @selecaoportugal

Ruben Neves' leg tattoo of Diogo Jota.
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Neves inked a permanent reminder of his pal on his calfCredit: X formerly Twitter / @selecaoportugal

Diogo Jota's wife and Ruben Neves in the stands at a soccer match.
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Neves attended Wolves’ tributes to Jota alongside Cardoso in AugustCredit: PA

Wolverhampton Wanderers players holding the Sky Bet Championship trophy at a winner's parade.
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The pair were team-mates at Wolves and won the Championship title togetherCredit: PA:Press Association