At a moment that transcended football, Rafael Leao delivered a powerful tribute to his compatriot Fallen Diogo Joata after scoring against Liverpool in a friendly pre-stage to Hong Kong.
The game, which ended with a 4-2 victory for AC Milan, saw Leao open the markings with a breathtaking solo effort. By hooking to a ball through Christian Pulisic, the Portuguese striker surpassed Virgil Van Dijk and sparked a rocket beyond the Liverpool goalkeeper to turn on the game.
So, while the stadium buzzes of excitement, Leao turned to the crowd, raised both hands and formed the number 20, which is the number of the Diogo Jota shirt to Anfield. The gesture was a heartfelt tribute to Jota, who tragically died in a car accident in Spain on July 3, together with the younger brother André Silva.
The emotional moment left the stadium in silence amazed, since fans of both sides paid silent respect. It was a powerful reminder of humanity shared in sport, transcending rivalry and objectives.
In the meantime, the game has also highlighted deeper concerns for Arne Slot Liverpool. In particular, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez were absent from the formation, fueling the transfer speculation. According to reports, Nunez is courted Naples AND Saudi Pro LeagueWhile Bayern Munich He is monitoring Diaz up close.
On the other hand, Liverpool will try to recover on July 30, when they face Yokohama F. Marinos In the J.League World Challenge final.
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