Memories of their sudden, tragic passing a mere six months ago remain raw for the humble, dignified 25-year-old who was a close friend of the brothers.
“It’s difficult to talk about it,” he told [CNN Sports](https://www.cnn.com/sport) after winning the Best Midfielder Award at the recent Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“Nobody wants to be in this kind of situation. It was a sad and tragic loss for everyone.
“Mainly, I imagine what it is like for, for the parents, for the wife, for the children… that’s what I think about the most when I think about him.”
For the talented midfielder, the brothers’ enduring memory will be a source of personal and collective motivation as Portugal goes for glory at this summer tournament.
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When [Portugal](https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/11/sport/soccer-cristiano-ronaldo-2026-world-cup) begins its [World Cup](https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/06/sport/soccer-world-cup-2026-schedule-countries) campaign in Houston on June 17, two names will be at the forefront of *Seleção* midfielder Vitinha’s mind: [Diogo Jota](https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/03/sport/diogo-jota-liverpool-death-spt) and André Silva.
Memories of their sudden, tragic passing a mere six months ago remain raw for the humble, dignified 25-year-old who was a close friend of the brothers.
“It’s difficult to talk about it,” he told [CNN Sports](https://www.cnn.com/sport) after winning the Best Midfielder Award at the recent Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“Nobody wants to be in this kind of situation. It was a sad and tragic loss for everyone.
“Mainly, I imagine what it is like for, for the parents, for the wife, for the children… that’s what I think about the most when I think about him.”
For the talented midfielder, the brothers’ enduring memory will be a source of personal and collective motivation as Portugal goes for glory at this summer tournament.