Luis Diaz has found himself in the middle of a tough and uncomfortable situation. A video showing him dancing with TikTokers at a party in Colombia went viral over the weekend, the same weekend his Liverpool teammate, Diogo Jota, was laid to rest in Portugal.
The video spread quickly online and sparked heavy backlash. Many fans called Diaz’s actions badly timed and disrespectful.
What made it even worse was the emotional moment surrounding Jota and his brother André Silva’s sudden deaths in a tragic car crash, a loss that deeply shook the football world.
Even though Liverpool reportedly chose not to send the entire team to the funeral, seeing Diaz dancing and looking joyful while many were still grieving didn’t sit well with supporters.
Some fans felt disappointed, asking how someone so close to Jota could seem so emotionally distant just days after his death.
The backlashes have been strong. Many accused the Colombian winger of being ungrateful, especially since Jota had shown him deep support in 2023, when Diaz’s father was kidnapped in Colombia.
Luis Diaz Moment That Hurt Fans
The anger towards Diaz wasn’t quiet. Many saw the video of him dancing happily as a sign that he didn’t care, not just about Jota’s memory, but about the unity expected among teammates.
Jota’s sudden death shocked the entire football world, even extending to some non enthusiasts. So to see a teammate seemingly enjoying himself during such a painful time felt wrong to many.
What made it even more painful was the memory of Jota’s beautiful gesture to Diaz during his own family crisis. That moment of the Portuguese holding up his former teammate’s shirt as a sign of support, which went viral for the right reasons.
Now, that same moment is being used as a painful contrast to Diaz’s recent actions. Whether people are right or wrong in judging him, the feelings of hurt and disappointment are real.
The timing of Diaz’s dance video was bad. Whether he meant to or not, he made a sad situation feel even worse for many who were still mourning Jota.
Fans Should Quite Judging, Expecting
Still, in the middle of all the anger, one thing must be remembered: Luis Diaz is human. Yes, he’s a footballer, but he’s also a son, a brother, a friend, and someone who might deal with grief differently than others expect.
Attending a social event, even one caught on camera, might not have been a sign of disrespect. It could have been his way of coping. Maybe being around people helped him feel a bit normal in a sad and heavy time.
Fans have to realize that athletes are not machines. They go through their own pain, fears, and personal struggles, just like anyone else. Expecting them to show sadness in a certain way only adds more pressure to their lives.
Diaz is hurting deeply over Jota’s death. His pain were obvious in the post made in tribute to the deceased, and if he feels he still needed a break or a moment of comfort, then so be it. A closer look at the video, and you might even see some sadness in his eyes.
Fans may not have liked what they saw. But that doesn’t mean Diaz doesn’t have the right to deal with his pain in his own way. There’s a need for fans to learn the difference between what is seen in public and what someone is really feeling inside, and show some understanding before rushing to judge.
The criticism may only add to Diaz’s troubles, but as one who has been a professional footballer for a while, one would expect he’s grown used to the melee.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
