Luis Diaz pays tribute to Diogo Jota as ex-Liverpool star wins first Bayern Munich trophy

Luis Diaz left Liverpool to join Bayern Munich in a £65.5million transfer deal last month, just weeks after team-mate Diogo Jota tragically died in a car crash alongside his younger brother

Luis Diaz paid tribute to former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota as he enjoyed a dream debut for Bayern Munich. Diaz, 28, scored in Bayern’s 2-1 win against Stuttgart in the German Super Cup and lifted his first trophy with his new club.

The Colombian winger left Liverpool in July, as the Bundesliga champions stumped up £65.5million for his services. The transfer came just weeks after Jota and his younger brother, Andre Silva, both tragically died in a car crash.

In a statement confirming his departure, Diaz gave a special mention to Jota, who he played alongside for three-and-a-half years at Anfield. The 28-year-old had featured in three pre-season friendlies for Bayern but got his first state of competitive action on Saturday.

Selected to start the match in Stuttgart by Vincent Kompany, Diaz saw new team-mate Harry Kane break the deadlock after 18 minutes. Bayern were unable to build on their advantage in the first half and had to work hard to keep Stuttgart and bay in the second period, as Manuel Neuer rolled back the years.

Kompany kept faith in Diaz and he was rewarded with a goal in 77th minute. It was a rare header from the Colombia international, who got on the end of a cross from Serge Gnabry.

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Diaz ran to celebrate his goal near the corner flag and sat down to perform a tribute to Jota. The former Liverpool star mimicked playing on a gaming console, one of Jota’s favourite pastimes and his trademark goal celebration.

Stuttgart pulled a goal back in the third minute of stoppage through Jamie Leweling, but it was too little too late and Bayern lifted the trophy for the first time since 2022 – also the first time since it’s been named after club legend Franz Beckenbauer. “That’s how we wanted to start the season, with a good feeling and a title,” Kane said post-match.

“It was a short summer break but we’ve worked hard. But the way we played today was good. It would’ve been nice if we’d scored one or two more goals, but we moved the ball around well and worked back well as a team.”

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Kompany added: ‘The title is extra important because it’s the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup – that’ll always be special for Bayern. It’s never easy in Stuttgart, but we came here and delivered.

“Obviously we would’ve liked a longer pre-season, but moaning doesn’t help. We’ve spoken about that. We had the chance to start out with a title. That was our goal and we’ve achieved it. Today was a good first step.”

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