In a stunning act of solidarity, Chelsea Football Club’s players have agreed to donate a portion of their £11.4 million FIFA Club World Cup bonus—approximately £368,000 per player—to the family of late Liverpool star Diogo Jota, who tragically died alongside his brother André Silva in a car crash on July 3, 2025. The announcement, confirmed by The Athletic on August 14, 2025, has been hailed as a “class act,” igniting emotional reactions on X and showcasing football’s unity in the face of tragedy.

Chelsea secured the Club World Cup title with a 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain on July 13, 2025, at MetLife Stadium, earning a £85 million prize pot, per Sky Sports. The squad’s £11.4 million bonus fund, divided among 24 players, prompted a heartfelt decision to support Jota’s widow, Rute Cardoso, and their three children—Dinis, Duarte, and an unnamed daughter. The donation, roughly $500,000 per player before taxes, will bolster the Jota Family Fund, administered by Liverpool FC, per onefootball.com.

The gesture was spearheaded by Chelsea’s Pedro Neto, a close friend of Jota, who played a key role in Liverpool’s 2024 Premier League triumph, scoring 65 goals in 182 appearances. “This is for Diogo and André,” Neto said, dedicating the donation to their memory, per Sports Mole. Manager Enzo Maresca praised the squad, telling The Sun, “It’s a small way to honor a great man.” X users erupted, with @CFCFanatic tweeting, “Chelsea’s heart is unmatched!” and #JotaTribute trending globally.

The football community has rallied around Jota’s family, with Liverpool retiring his No. 20 shirt and planning a tribute at their August 16 opener against Bournemouth, per liverpoolfc.com. Chelsea’s donation, following their own tributes during the Club World Cup, underscores the sport’s camaraderie, as noted by LBC. Fans on X praised the gesture, with @LFCForever posting, “Rivals or not, this is humanity.”

As Cardoso navigates her loss, recently moving to Porto, per The Sun, Chelsea’s £368,000-per-player contribution offers vital support. This act of generosity, born from triumph, ensures Jota’s legacy endures, proving football’s power to unite beyond the pitch.