Alexander-Arnold Plays Through Grief, Dedicates Club World Cup Win to Late Jota

Trent Alexander-Arnold displayed remarkable resilience, admitting it was "difficult" to play in Real Madrid's FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinal victory over Borussia Dortmund in New Jersey, following the tragic death of his former Liverpool teammate, Diogo Jota.

The 28-year-old Jota and his brother, André Silva, tragically died in a car accident early Thursday. Their funeral on Saturday saw numerous Liverpool and Portugal players in attendance, including Rúben Neves and João Cancelo, both of whom played in Al Hilal's Club World Cup defeat to Fluminense on Friday.

Alexander-Arnold and Jota were teammates at Anfield for several years, forging a close friendship. After Real Madrid's win against Dortmund, where Kylian Mbappé dedicated his goal to Jota with a touching gesture, Alexander-Arnold revealed the emotional challenge he faced.

"I want to send my condolences and my thoughts and prayers to a close friend of mine," Alexander-Arnold told DAZN. "I had five years sharing a dressing-room with him [Jota], and it goes without saying that he will never be forgotten by anyone. He will live long in our memories."

Despite the profound sadness, Alexander-Arnold emphasized his commitment to his team. "But at the end of the day, I still had a job to do today. I had to go out there and perform for the team, help us win the game, no matter how difficult it was and how difficult it is," he said.

"As hard as it was, I had to push it to the back of my mind and focus on my job and my role. I tried to do as best as I could."

"It was difficult, I'm not going to lie about that, but I have done it in honor of my close friend," Alexander-Arnold added.

"I'm sure he would have wanted me to do that and I'm sure we would have had a laugh and a joke about my assist as well, so yes, it was in some way in memory of him."

"He was there with me in some way, I'm sure."

Alexander-Arnold expressed gratitude for the widespread support from the football community following the loss of Jota and his brother.

"It's been very difficult for everyone that knew him, not just me and his teammates, friends or family, but the footballing world," he said. "Some things are bigger than the game."

"It's been difficult, but also very heart-warming to see the footballing world unite and come together to show their love and support for his family and his brother for what must be mind-blowingly hard times for his family."

"I've been around his family, his brother, his amazing wife and amazing three children, so it's truly heart-breaking."

"It's something you would never expect. He was a very close friend, somebody who lit up a room."