Luis Díaz Faces Global Backlash After Skipping Diogo Jota's Funeral to Party with Influencers

The Shocking Decision That Divided Football Fans Worldwide

Liverpool's Colombian winger Luis Díaz has found himself at the center of a massive global controversy that has shaken the football world to its core. The 28-year-old forward's decision to skip his teammate Diogo Jota's funeral while attending a party with influencers in Colombia has sparked unprecedented backlash from fans, media, and fellow professionals alike. What makes this situation particularly devastating is the timing and circumstances surrounding Jota's tragic death, which occurred just days after the Portuguese striker had celebrated his wedding with longtime partner Rute Cardoso. The football community, already reeling from the sudden loss of a beloved player, was further shocked by Díaz's apparent lack of empathy and respect for his fallen teammate. Videos surfaced on social media showing Díaz smiling, dancing, and enjoying himself at an influencer event in Barranquilla, Colombia, at the exact time when his Liverpool colleagues were paying their final respects to Jota in Portugal. This stark contrast between celebration and mourning has created one of the most divisive moments in recent football history, with fans questioning the very foundations of team loyalty and brotherhood that are supposed to define professional sports.

The Tragic Accident That Shook Liverpool to Its Core

The tragedy that befell Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva on July 3rd, 2025, sent shockwaves throughout the football world. The 28-year-old Liverpool striker was traveling with his younger brother on the A-52 motorway near Zamora, Spain, when their Lamborghini Huracán suffered a catastrophic tire blowout while attempting to overtake another vehicle. Spanish authorities have indicated that the investigation points to possible excessive speeding as a contributing factor to the accident. The car lost control at high speed, veered off the road, and immediately burst into flames, killing both brothers instantly. What made the tragedy even more heartbreaking was the context of Jota's journey – he was traveling by car to Santander to catch a ferry to England because doctors had advised him against flying following recent lung surgery. The Portuguese striker had been looking forward to rejoining his Liverpool teammates for pre-season training, having just celebrated his wedding to Rute Cardoso just ten days earlier. The couple had three young children together, making the loss even more devastating for the family and the football community. Liverpool immediately retired Jota's number 20 jersey as a permanent tribute to their fallen star, while tributes poured in from across the globe. The timing of the accident, coming so soon after Jota's wedding and with pre-season training about to begin, added an extra layer of tragedy to an already devastating situation.

The Funeral That Brought Football Together – Except for Díaz

The funeral service for Diogo Jota and André Silva took place on July 6th, 2025, in Gondomar, Portugal, Jota's hometown near Porto. The ceremony was a powerful display of unity within the football community, with representatives from across the sport traveling thousands of miles to pay their respects. Liverpool's presence was particularly strong, with club captain Virgil van Dijk leading the delegation and carrying a floral tribute adorned with Jota's iconic number 20 jersey. Manager Arne Slot, along with players Andy Robertson, Darwin Núñez, and Curtis Jones, stood solemnly as they bid farewell to their teammate. The Portugal national team was also well-represented, with players like Rúben Neves, who served as a pallbearer, João Cancelo, and Bernardo Silva making the journey despite their own professional commitments. Even players from rival clubs showed their respect, with Manchester City's Rúben Dias and Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes attending the service. The emotional ceremony saw hundreds of mourners gathering at the Igreja Matriz church, creating a sea of grief and solidarity that demonstrated the profound impact Jota had on everyone who knew him. However, one notable absence cast a shadow over the proceedings – Luis Díaz, who was supposed to be one of Jota's closest friends at Liverpool, was nowhere to be seen. This absence became even more glaring when contrasted with the efforts made by other players who interrupted their vacations and personal commitments to honor their fallen colleague.

The Influencer Party That Sparked Global Outrage

While his Liverpool teammates and football colleagues from around the world gathered in solemn remembrance of Diogo Jota, Luis Díaz was 4,000 miles away in Barranquilla, Colombia, participating in what can only be described as a tone-deaf celebration. The Colombian winger was attending a commercial event featuring local social media influencers, reportedly there to support his brother Roger Díaz in a football tournament. What transformed this absence from merely disappointing to absolutely scandalous was Díaz's decision to actively participate in and share videos of himself enjoying the festivities. Social media footage showed the Liverpool star smiling broadly, dancing enthusiastically, and appearing to have the time of his life while his teammate was being laid to rest. One particularly damaging video, posted by an influencer with over 780,000 followers, captured Díaz in high spirits, laughing and celebrating with the crowd. The timing could not have been worse – these videos were being shared and viewed by millions just as Jota's funeral service was taking place in Portugal. The stark contrast between the somber scenes in Gondomar and the festive atmosphere in Barranquilla created a visual representation of what many saw as Díaz's complete lack of respect and empathy. Venezuelan outlet Versión Final reported that the backlash was immediate and severe, with fans expressing their disgust at what they perceived as a betrayal of the most fundamental principles of friendship and loyalty. The fact that Díaz chose not only to miss the funeral but to actively celebrate and document his enjoyment during such a sacred moment for his teammate's family and friends has been described by many as one of the most insensitive acts in modern football history.

The Broken Bond: How Jota Once Supported Díaz in His Darkest Hour

What makes Luis Díaz's absence from Diogo Jota's funeral even more painful for fans and observers is the memory of how Jota had supported his Colombian teammate during one of the most difficult periods of his life. In October 2023, when Díaz's father was kidnapped by armed groups in Colombia, creating a nightmare scenario for the player and his family, Jota was among the first to offer public support and solidarity. The Portuguese striker's gesture of lifting Díaz's number 7 jersey after scoring a goal became an iconic moment of brotherhood and compassion that was praised throughout the football world. Jota didn't stop there – he made several emotional tributes and public statements expressing his concern for Díaz's family situation, showing the kind of genuine care and friendship that transcends professional relationships. The Liverpool dressing room rallied around Díaz during this traumatic time, with Jota playing a particularly supportive role in helping his teammate cope with the unimaginable stress of his father's abduction. This act of loyalty and friendship made Jota's own tragic death even more poignant, and it also made Díaz's absence from the funeral feel like a profound betrayal of the bond they had shared. Football fans and pundits have repeatedly contrasted these two moments – Jota's selfless support during Díaz's crisis versus Díaz's apparent indifference during Jota's final farewell. The comparison has become a powerful symbol of the different ways people respond to friendship and loyalty, with many arguing that Díaz's actions represent everything that is wrong with modern football's emphasis on individual brand over collective responsibility. Social media has been flooded with side-by-side images of Jota holding up Díaz's jersey in support and Díaz dancing at a party instead of attending his friend's funeral, creating a visual narrative that has become impossible for the Colombian to escape.

The Aftermath: Díaz's Belated Attempt at Redemption

Facing an unprecedented wave of criticism from fans, media, and fellow professionals, Luis Díaz eventually made a belated attempt to honor his fallen teammate by attending a seventh-day memorial mass for Diogo Jota and André Silva. The service, held on July 10th at the Gondomar parish church, saw Díaz finally make his first official appearance to pay respects to Jota. Portuguese newspaper O Jogo reported that Díaz was joined by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, who had also been unable to attend the original funeral due to prior commitments. The memorial mass attracted around 100 mourners, including various figures from the domestic and international football community such as Diogo Costa, José Sá, Rúben Neves, João Mário, and Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese Football Federation. Unlike the joyful, dancing figure seen in the Colombian influencer videos, Díaz appeared somber and emotional during the memorial service, reportedly wiping away tears as he finally confronted the reality of his teammate's death. However, this belated gesture did little to quell the criticism that had been building for days. Many observers noted that while Díaz's eventual appearance was better than nothing, it felt more like damage control than genuine grief. The fact that he had to be essentially shamed into showing respect for his deceased teammate only reinforced the perception that his priorities were fundamentally misplaced. Social media reactions to his memorial mass attendance were mixed, with some fans appreciating the gesture while others argued that it was too little, too late. The contrast between his bright, celebratory demeanor at the Colombian party and his tearful appearance at the memorial mass created yet another uncomfortable juxtaposition that highlighted the apparent insincerity of his eventual tribute.

Global Fan Reaction: A Community United in Disgust

The international football community's reaction to Luis Díaz's behavior has been swift, unanimous, and utterly damning. Liverpool fans, in particular, have expressed their disgust and disappointment, with many calling for the club to consider selling the Colombian winger. Online forums and social media platforms have been flooded with messages of condemnation, with supporters arguing that Díaz's actions represent a fundamental breach of the values that should define professional football. Mexican sports outlet Plano Deportivo reported that fans are particularly angry about what they perceive as Díaz's complete lack of empathy, with many questioning whether he truly understood the gravity of losing a teammate and friend. The criticism has transcended national boundaries, with fans from across Europe, South America, and beyond expressing their shock at Díaz's behavior. What has made the backlash particularly intense is the way Díaz's actions have been contrasted with the behavior of other players who made significant sacrifices to attend Jota's funeral. Stories of players interrupting their vacations, traveling across continents, and putting aside personal commitments to honor their fallen colleague have only made Díaz's absence more glaring. Korean football communities have also expressed their disappointment, with many fans noting that such behavior would be considered unthinkable in their culture, where respect for deceased colleagues is considered sacred. The global nature of the criticism has created a situation where Díaz's reputation has been damaged not just among Liverpool supporters, but among football fans worldwide. Social media analytics have shown that the hashtags related to the controversy have trended in multiple countries, indicating the truly international scope of the backlash.

The Long-Term Impact: Can Díaz Recover from This Scandal?

As the dust begins to settle on one of the most controversial episodes in recent football history, questions remain about whether Luis Díaz can ever fully recover from the reputational damage caused by his decision to skip Diogo Jota's funeral. Sports psychologists and PR experts have suggested that this type of scandal, which touches on fundamental human values like loyalty, friendship, and respect, can be particularly difficult to overcome. The fact that the controversy involves the death of a teammate makes it even more challenging, as it's not the kind of mistake that can be easily explained away or forgotten. Reports have emerged suggesting that Díaz is now considering a move away from Liverpool, with Bayern Munich mentioned as a potential destination. Whether this represents a genuine desire for a fresh start or simply an attempt to escape the ongoing criticism remains unclear. What is certain is that Díaz's relationship with Liverpool fans has been fundamentally altered by this incident. The trust and affection that supporters typically have for their players has been severely damaged, and it may take years of exemplary behavior both on and off the pitch to rebuild that connection. From a broader perspective, the Díaz controversy has sparked important conversations about the responsibilities that professional athletes have to their teammates, clubs, and communities. Many commentators have argued that this incident represents a watershed moment that could lead to changes in how clubs and players approach issues of loyalty and respect. The lasting legacy of this scandal may not just be the damage to Díaz's reputation, but the way it has forced the football world to confront some uncomfortable truths about the values that should define professional sports.