Diogo Jota

Diogo Jota was more than just a footballer; he was a dynamic and versatile forward whose journey from a small Portuguese club to the pinnacle of English football captured the hearts of fans worldwide. Known for his clinical finishing and relentless work rate, Jota became a key figure for club and country, collecting numerous trophies along the way. His career, marked by incredible highs and battling recurring injuries, ultimately left an indelible mark on the sport, showcasing a spirit that truly defined him. Diogo Jota overcame early career rejections and a heart condition to become a top-tier professional footballer. His adaptability and scoring prowess made him a vital player across three different Premier League clubs and for the Portuguese national team. Jota's personal life showcased a unique blend of athleticism and gaming, where he excelled as a world-ranked FIFA player.

Source: Wikipedia

AI Summary

Diogo Jota was more than just a footballer; he was a dynamic and versatile forward whose journey from a small Portuguese club to the pinnacle of English football captured the hearts of fans worldwide. Known for his clinical finishing and relentless work rate, Jota became a key figure for club and country, collecting numerous trophies along the way. His career, marked by incredible highs and battling recurring injuries, ultimately left an indelible mark on the sport, showcasing a spirit that truly defined him.

The Rise of a Portuguese Prodigy

Born Diogo José Teixeira da Silva in Porto, Portugal, on December 4, 1996, our story begins with a young talent who would choose a different name for the pitch: Diogo Jota. The nickname 'Jota,' simply the Portuguese letter 'J,' helped him stand out among other players named Diogo and Silva in youth academies.

Early Beginnings and Big Dreams

Jota spent his formative years, from age 9 to 17, honing his skills at local club Gondomar S.C. in his hometown. Years later, a testament to his impact, the club's academy would be named in his honor. But his path to professional football wasn't without its early challenges.

Despite his undeniable talent, Jota faced rejection from larger clubs due to his smaller stature. In 2013, he joined Paços de Ferreira's youth setup, a club that saw his potential beyond physical size. During this time, he also battled a heart condition, causing a month-long absence from training—a true test of his burgeoning career.

Breaking Through at Paços de Ferreira

Jota made his senior debut for Paços de Ferreira in October 2014 in the Taça de Portugal. By February 2015, he was making his Primeira Liga debut, and just a few months later, in May, he netted his first goals—a memorable brace that made him the youngest player to score for the club in the top flight.

His performances quickly drew attention, and he signed a new five-year deal. Uniquely, as a first-team player, Jota lived in a club dormitory. This was a deliberate choice, helping him focus, avoid distractions, and even learn foreign languages in preparation for an eventual move abroad.

European Adventures and Premier League Dreams

Atlético Madrid and Porto Loan

Jota's talent didn't go unnoticed for long. In March 2016, La Liga giant Atlético Madrid secured his services on a five-year contract. However, he was immediately loaned back to Portugal, joining FC Porto for the 2016-17 season.

At Porto, he continued to impress, famously scoring a first-half hat-trick in a 4-0 away victory against Nacional. He also made his mark in the prestigious UEFA Champions League, scoring his first goal in the competition against Leicester City.

Wolves: From Championship to Premier League Star

The following season, Jota made his way to England, joining EFL Championship club Wolverhampton Wanderers on a season-long loan. He quickly became a pivotal player, scoring 17 league goals—ranking fifth among the league's top scorers—as he spearheaded Wolves' promotion to the Premier League as champions.

His impact was so significant that Wolves made his move permanent in 2018 for a reported €14 million. In the Premier League, Jota continued his ascent. On December 5, 2018, he scored his first Premier League goal against Chelsea, followed by another against Newcastle United just four days later.

A highlight for Wolves fans came in January 2019 when Jota netted a sensational hat-trick in a thrilling 4-3 victory over Leicester City. This feat made him only the second Portuguese player after Cristiano Ronaldo to achieve a Premier League hat-trick, cementing his place in Wolves' history.

Jota also proved his mettle on the European stage. In the 2019–20 Europa League, he scored a stunning overhead kick against Pyunik and, even more remarkably, two hat-tricks in the group stage—one against Beşiktaş and another against Espanyol. His last appearance for Wolves came in a Europa League quarter-final in August 2020.

Liverpool: Trophy Hauls and Unforgettable Moments

In September 2020, Diogo Jota embarked on the next chapter of his career, signing with Liverpool for a reported £41 million. Manager Jürgen Klopp had been closely monitoring his talents, particularly his unique blend of traits and abilities across multiple games, ultimately leading to his recruitment.

Jota made an immediate impact, scoring on his Premier League debut for Liverpool against Arsenal. A truly memorable moment arrived when he scored the club's 10,000th goal in their history during a Champions League match against Midtjylland, marking a significant milestone.

His debut season was remarkable, highlighted by a Champions League hat-trick against Atalanta. He became the first player since Robbie Fowler in 1993 to score 7 goals in his first 10 Liverpool appearances and the first to score in his first four home Premier League matches. His performances earned him the Liverpool Player of the Month award for October, despite a three-month injury setback in December.

Domestic Double and European Final

The 2021–22 season saw Jota continue his prolific form. He scored crucial goals against arch-rivals Manchester United and local rivals Everton in the Merseyside derby, contributing to Liverpool's record-breaking run of scoring at least two goals in eighteen successive games.

He was instrumental in Liverpool's domestic cup success, netting both goals in the EFL Cup semi-final against Arsenal. He then converted his penalty in both the EFL Cup and FA Cup finals, helping Liverpool secure a historic domestic double. He also featured in the UEFA Champions League Final that season.

Battling Injuries and Resilient Returns

The 2022–23 season proved challenging, marked by recurring hamstring and calf injuries that sidelined him for significant periods, including missing the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Despite the setbacks, Liverpool showed faith, signing him to a new long-term deal in August 2022.

Upon his return, Jota demonstrated his playmaking ability by providing three assists in a single Champions League match against Rangers. He famously ended a year-long goal drought with a brace against Leeds United and scored a dramatic late winner against Tottenham Hotspur, showcasing his incredible resilience.

League Cup Glory and Final Triumphs

Jota continued to be a key attacking force even amidst more injury battles in the 2023–24 season. He earned the Premier League Player of the Month award for January 2024, stepping up significantly during Mohamed Salah's absence due to the Africa Cup of Nations.

The 2024–25 season saw him embrace a new tactical role under head coach Arne Slot, often playing as a 'number 9' or 'false nine.' He made his 100th start for the club, scoring the only goal against Crystal Palace. His final career goal came on April 2, 2025, a Merseyside derby winner against Everton.

Jota's Liverpool career culminated in triumph on April 27, 2025, when the club won the Premier League title, his fourth and final trophy with the Reds, a fitting end to a remarkable club career.

Representing Portugal

Youth and Senior International Career

Diogo Jota proudly represented Portugal at various youth levels, including under-19, under-21, and under-23. His senior international journey began in March 2019 with his first call-up to the national side for Euro 2020 qualifiers. Though uncapped at the time, he was part of the squad that won the 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals.

He made his senior debut in November 2019, coming on as a substitute for Cristiano Ronaldo in a dominant 6-0 victory. His first international goal came the following year in a UEFA Nations League match against Croatia.

Jota was selected for the UEFA Euro 2020 and 2024 squads, scoring against Germany in the former. Unfortunately, a calf injury sustained in October 2022 ruled him out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a heartbreaking blow for any professional footballer.

His international career concluded on a high note in May 2025. Jota was part of the Portugal squad that won the 2025 UEFA Nations League Finals, defeating rivals Spain in a penalty shoot-out. This victory marked his final match and final trophy in a distinguished football career.

Beyond the Pitch: Style and Personal Life

A Versatile Forward

Jota was renowned for his versatility, capable of playing in multiple attacking roles—as a centre-forward, striker, winger, false nine, or inside forward. Though primarily right-footed, his strength with both feet made him a constant threat.

His style of play was characterized by clinical finishing, explosive pace, exceptional dribbling, keen positional sense, and close control. These attributes made him particularly effective on the counter-attack, but he was equally admired for his defensive contribution and tireless work rate.

The Gaming Champion

Off the field, Jota harbored another passion: gaming. He was an avid gamer and even achieved the remarkable feat of being ranked world No. 1 in FIFA 21's Champions Leaderboard in February 2021. He founded his own eSports team, Luna Galaxy, and regularly streamed on Twitch, connecting with fans in a unique way.

During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, he participated in a Premier League invitational FIFA series, ultimately defeating future Liverpool teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold in the final, proving his competitive spirit extended far beyond the grass pitch.

Jota shared his love for football with his brother, André Silva, who was also a professional footballer. André followed a similar path, starting at Gondomar and playing at youth level for Paços de Ferreira, even joining Porto's youth ranks when Diogo was on loan there.

Article

Diogo Jota

Diogo José Teixeira da Silva (4 December 1996 – 3 July 2025), commonly known as Diogo Jota, was a Portuguese professional footballer who played as a forward and winger. He was known for his finishing, pace, dribbling ability, and work rate.

Jota started his career with Paços de Ferreira, before signing for La Liga club Atlético Madrid in 2016. After two seasons in the Primeira Liga, he was consecutively loaned to Primeira Liga club Porto in 2016 and EFL Championship club Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2017. Having helped them gain promotion to the Premier League, he joined the club in 2018 for a reported €14 million and made 131 appearances for them, scoring 44 goals. In 2020, he signed for Liverpool for a fee reported to be £41 million. He played 182 games and scored 65 goals over five seasons for Liverpool, winning the Premier League in (/wiki/2024–25PremierLeague), as well as one FA Cup and two EFL Cup titles.

As a Portugal youth international, Jota represented his country at under-19, under-21, and under-23 levels. He made his senior international debut in November 2019 and was chosen in the squads for two UEFA European Championships ((/wiki/UEFAEuro2020) and (/wiki/UEFAEuro2024)), but missed the 2022 FIFA World Cup due to injury. He also won the UEFA Nations League in (/wiki/2019UEFANationsLeagueFinals) and (/wiki/2025UEFANationsLeagueFinals).

Jota and his brother André Silva were both killed in a single-car collision in July 2025.

Club career

Paços de Ferreira

Jota was born on 4 December 1996 in the parish of Massarelos, Porto, Portugal, and grew up in Gondomar, also in the Porto metropolitan area. He played for local club Gondomar S.C. between the ages of 9 and 17, and in 2022, the academy was named after him.

Having been rejected by larger clubs due to his small frame, Jota signed for Paços de Ferreira's youth setup in 2013. He was promoted to the main squad at the start of the 2014–15 season, and made his senior debut on 19 October 2014 by starting in a 4–0 home win against Atlético de Reguengos for the Taça de Portugal. During the season, he had a one-month absence from training after he was diagnosed with a heart condition.

Jota first appeared in the Primeira Liga on 20 February 2015, coming on as a late substitute for Diogo Rosado in a 2–2 home draw against Vitória de Guimarães. He scored his first goals in the competition on 17 May, netting a brace in a 3–2 home success over Académica de Coimbra and becoming the youngest player ever to score for the club in the top tier in the process.

On 30 May 2015, Jota signed a new five-year deal with Paços, keeping him tied up until 2020. In the first game of the campaign, a 1–0 win over Académica at the Estádio da Mata Real on 17 August, he was sent off at the end for pushing Hugo Seco; Ricardo Nascimento was also sent off for retaliating on his teammate's behalf. During the season, manager Jorge Simão said that Jota would be the successor to Cristiano Ronaldo, a comparison that stunned the young player.

Uniquely for a first-team player, Jota lived in a club dormitory while at Paços de Ferreira. This living arrangement was to avoid distractions while learning foreign languages, in preparation for a possible move abroad.

Atlético Madrid and Porto loan

On 14 March 2016, Jota agreed to a five-year contract with Atlético Madrid effective as of 1 July. On 26 August, however, he was quickly loaned out back to Portugal to play for Porto. On 1 October, Jota scored a first-half hat-trick in a 4–0 away victory against Nacional. He also took part in the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League, scoring his first goal in the competition on 7 December in a 5–0 home victory against Leicester City.

2017–19: Premier League promotion and Europa League finish

Jota playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2018

On 25 July 2017, Jota signed for EFL Championship club Wolverhampton Wanderers on a season-long loan. He scored his first goal on 15 August, in a 3–2 away win over Hull City. On 30 January 2018, it was announced that a permanent deal with Jota had been agreed for a reported €14 million, being made effective on 1 July. He scored a career-best 17 league goals in his first year, ranking fifth in the league top scorer charts, as Wolves achieved promotion to the Premier League as champions; due to English Football League regulations, he wore his legal surname on his jersey in the Championship but was able to change it to "Diogo J" after the feat.

Jota made his debut in the Premier League on 11 August 2018, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–2 home draw against Everton. He scored his first goal in the competition on 5 December, helping the hosts come from behind to beat Chelsea 2–1. His second came four days later, in a win at Newcastle United by the same scoreline. On 19 January 2019, Jota scored three times in the 4–3 home victory over Leicester City – his second career hat-trick. In the process, he became only the second Portuguese player to achieve the feat in the Premier League after Cristiano Ronaldo 11 years earlier. This was a first-ever for the club in the competition and a first for the club in the top flight of English football since John Richards, against the same opposition, in the Football League First Division in October 1977. On 16 March 2019, Jota scored the winning goal in a 2–1 win against Manchester United in the 2018–19 FA Cup, to help Wolves reach their first semi-final in the competition since 1997–98.

2019–20: Final season with Wolves

On 25 July 2019, Jota scored in a 2–0 win over Northern Irish club Crusaders in the Europa League second qualifying round, Wolves' first European goal since October 1980, and in the next round on 15 August, he scored an overhead kick to conclude a 4–0 (8–0 aggregate) victory over Pyunik.

In the final Europa League group stage game at home to Beşiktaş on 12 December 2019, Jota replaced compatriot Rúben Neves as a 56th-minute substitute with the game goalless, scored after 72 seconds and completed a hat-trick within twelve minutes as Wolves ran out 4–0 victors. The following 20 February, he netted another treble in a win by the same score over Espanyol in the first leg of the last 32 of the tournament. His 131st and last appearance for Wolves was as a second-half substitute in their Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla on 11 August 2020; his 44th and final goal for the club in a 3–0 league victory over Everton on 12 July.

2020–21: Debut season and adaptation

Jota playing for Liverpool in 2021

On 19 September 2020, Jota joined Liverpool on a long-term deal, reportedly for a £41 million transfer fee, rising to £45 million with potential add-ons. The club had become intrigued by Jota during his time at Porto, with an official report prepared on the player's display throughout the 2018–19 season, though the decision was made to continue monitoring at the time due to the recent nature of the player's permanent move to Wolves. Manager Jürgen Klopp made the final decision to sign Jota when, in early 2020, he was given an account of Jota's traits and abilities over the course of 15 games, and ultimately selected him from a list including three other attackers to join the club.

He made his debut in the EFL Cup five days later, coming on as a second-half substitute against Lincoln City in a 7–2 win. On 28 September, he scored on his Premier League debut for the club, with the third in a 3–1 win against Arsenal at Anfield. Jota scored the club's 10,000th goal in their history when he netted the opener against Midtjylland in the UEFA Champions League group stage, and scored a hat-trick on 3 November in a 5–0 win at Atalanta in the same competition. In doing so, he became the first player since Robbie Fowler in 1993 to score 7 goals in his first 10 Liverpool appearances. On 22 November, Jota scored the second goal in a 3–0 victory against Leicester City, becoming the first Liverpool player to score in each of his first four home matches in the Premier League. For his performances in October, Jota was awarded Liverpool Player of the Month by the club's supporters. On 9 December, Jota suffered a leg injury during a UEFA Champions League match against Midtjylland, in a dead rubber match, sidelining him for three months.

Jota ended his debut season at the club with nine league goals, including a back heel in a 4–2 away win against Manchester United, which helped Liverpool finish third in the Premier League and qualify for the Champions League.

2021–22: Domestic double and European final

On 14 August 2021, Jota scored Liverpool's first goal of the 2021–22 Premier League season in a 3–0 away victory against newly promoted Norwich City. On 24 October, he scored in a 5–0 away victory against Liverpool's arch rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford. On 3 November, he opened the scoring in a 2–0 home victory in the Champions League against his former club Atlético Madrid to ensure Liverpool's qualification to the round of 16, as group winners. On 1 December, he scored Liverpool's fourth goal in a 4–1 away win against local rivals Everton in the Merseyside derby, as the club became the first team in English top-flight history to score at least two goals in eighteen successive games in all competitions. For his performances in November, he was awarded PFA Fans' Player of the Month. On 16 December, Jota scored Liverpool's first goal in a 3–1 home win against Newcastle United, in what was Liverpool's 2,000th top-flight win.

Jota at the EFL and FA Cup trophies parade on the streets of Liverpool on 29 May 2022, the day after the end of the 2021–22 season

In EFL Cup semi-finals, Jota scored both goals in a 2–0 away win over Arsenal to send Liverpool into the final. On 27 February, following a goalless draw against Chelsea after extra time, he scored his penalty during the shoot-out to help Liverpool win their first League Cup since 2012. On 14 May, in the 2022 FA Cup final, Jota came on as a substitute for the injured Mohamed Salah after 33 minutes. Liverpool won the final after a penalty shoot-out, in which Jota scored his penalty. On 28 May, Jota made a substitute appearance in the 65th minute of the 2022 UEFA Champions League Final, as Liverpool lost to 1–0 Real Madrid.

2022–23: Contract extension and recurring injuries

Jota suffered a hamstring injury in the pre-season which made him miss the start of the season. On 2 August 2022, Jota signed a new long-term deal with the club. He made his return from injury on 3 September, replacing Darwin Núñez in the 80th minute of a 0–0 draw against rivals Everton in the Merseyside derby. On 12 October, Jota came off the bench in a Champions League match away to Rangers, before providing three assists in one match for the first time in his career to Mohamed Salah, who completed a hat-trick in the space of six minutes and twelve seconds of an eventual 7–1 win. On 16 October, he suffered a calf injury during Liverpool's 1–0 home win over Manchester City, which ruled him out for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He returned from injury on 13 February, replacing Darwin Núñez in the 70th minute in a 2–0 victory against Everton.

Having not registered a goal since 10 April 2022, Jota returned to scoring ways on 17 April 2023, with two goals in Liverpool's 6–1 away win over Leeds United. On 30 April, with Liverpool conceding a last minute equaliser, having led the match by three goals, Jota scored the dramatic late winner in added time in Liverpool's 4–3 home win over Tottenham Hotspur, leading him to be nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month award. After the season, Liverpool narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification.

2023–24: League Cup victory

Following an injury-riddled season, Jota started the new season on 19 August, by closing Liverpool's 3–1 win against Bournemouth. On 30 September, Jota was sent off just 24 minutes after coming on against Tottenham, leaving his team with 9 men. He would receive criticism from pundits; Stephen Warnock claimed that he had "been poor since coming on at half time, not up to the pace of the game at all", while Gary Neville agreed with the red card, as he believed Jota's actions were a "stupidity". On 5 October, he scored his first goal in the 2023–24 UEFA Europa League, closing the 2–0 win against Union Saint-Gilloise in a group stage match.

In January 2024, with Mohamed Salah unavailable due to playing in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and his subsequent injury, Jota stepped up in his absence, forming a successful partnership with Darwin Núñez that saw him score five goals and assist another two in Liverpool's wins over Burnley, Newcastle United, Bournemouth and Chelsea, earning him the Premier League Player of the Month award for January. On 17 February, he suffered a knee injury during Liverpool's 4–1 away win over Brentford, sidelining him for two months. He made his return from injury in a 3–0 home loss to Atalanta in the first leg of the Europa League on 11 April. Shortly after, Jota suffered another injury setback against Fulham on 21 April, leading him to miss Liverpool's remaining matches of the 2023–24 season.

2024–25: Premier League title

On 17 August, Jota scored Liverpool's first goal under new head coach Arne Slot in a 2–0 away win against Ipswich Town. Over the following matches, Jota started as the club's number 9, due to fitting better into Slot's system tactically, as he could drop deep and act similar to a false nine, leading him to compete with Darwin Núñez for a starting spot. On 5 October, Jota made his 100th start for the club, scoring the only goal of an away win over Crystal Palace. On 2 April 2025, Jota scored the winner, and his last ever goal, against Everton in the Merseyside derby at Anfield to maintain the club's 12-point lead at the top of the table. On 27 April, Liverpool won the 2024–25 Premier League, earning Jota's fourth and final trophy with the club.

International career

Youth

Jota started playing for Portugal at under-19 level, scoring his first goal on 29 May 2015 in a 6–1 home win over Turkey in 2015 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification. He won his first cap for the under-21 team on 17 November of the same year at not yet 19, playing 15 minutes in the 3–0 away defeat of Israel in another qualifier. On 25 May 2018, he netted a brace for the under-21s in their 3–2 friendly win over Italy held in Estoril.

Senior

In March 2019, Jota was called up to the senior side for the first time, ahead of the opening UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying matches against Ukraine and Serbia. Still uncapped, he was part of the squad that won the 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals on home soil in June but did not make an appearance. On 14 November, he made his debut by coming on as an 84th-minute substitute for Cristiano Ronaldo in a 6–0 win against Lithuania in a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier. He scored his first international goal on 5 September 2020 in a 4–1 home win over Croatia in the UEFA Nations League.

Jota was named in Portugal's final squad for the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 tournament, scoring in a 4–2 group stage defeat to Germany. He played all games in a round of 16-exit defeat to Belgium. On 18 October 2022, Jota was ruled out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup due to a calf injury he sustained during a league match with Liverpool against Manchester City on 16 October 2022.

On 11 September 2023, Jota scored a brace in Portugal's 9–0 home victory over Luxembourg in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers, their biggest win in international history. On 21 May 2024, he was named in Portugal's squad for final tournament in Germany, where he made three appearances against Czech Republic and Georgia in the group phase and Slovenia (3–0 victory in a penalty shootout) in the knockout stage, before Portugal was eliminated from the tournament by France in the quarter-finals after losing 5–3 in another penalty shootout.

In May 2025, Jota was selected for Portugal's 2025 UEFA Nations League Finals squad. He and his team went on to win the tournament 5–3 in a penalty shoot-out over rivals Spain, which would be Jota's final match and trophy in his football career.

Style of play

Diogo Jota

Jota was a versatile forward, capable of playing in several attacking positions; he was deployed as a centre forward, as an out-and-out striker, as a winger, as a false 9, or as an inside forward. Though ostensibly right-footed, he was very strong with both feet. Jota was also known for his clinical finishing, explosive pace, dribbling ability, positional sense, movement and close control which made him especially effective on the counter-attack. Moreover, he was also known for his defensive contribution and high work rate on the pitch.

Personal life

Diogo Jota

Jota, whose actual surname was Silva, chose to use the name "Jota" to distinguish himself from other players named Diogo and Silva in the youth academy. "Jota" is the Portuguese name of the letter "J", making this equivalent to calling himself "Diogo J".

Jota's brother, André Silva, was also a professional footballer. Like his brother, André started playing football at Gondomar and played for Paços de Ferreira at youth level. When Jota joined Porto on loan in 2016, André was in the club's youth ranks. André was playing for Liga Portugal 2 side Penafiel at the time of their deaths.

Jota was an avid gamer and was ranked world No. 1 in FIFA 21's Champions Leaderboard in February 2021. He had his own eSports team known as Luna Galaxy (formerly "Diogo Jota eSports") and regularly streamed on Twitch. During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown he took part in an invitational series of FIFA matches, run by the Premier League, eventually defeating future Liverpool teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold in the final of the competition.

Jota married Rute Cardoso on 22 June 2025, 11 days before his death. The couple had three children.

Death

Diogo Jota

On 3 July 2025, Jota and his brother, André Silva, died in a car crash in the province of Zamora in Spain, while returning to Liverpool for pre-season training. Jota had recently undergone minor lung surgery in Porto, Portugal, before getting married. On medical advice not to fly, Jota planned to return to England via a ferry leaving from Santander, Spain. He and his brother were driving to Santander to catch the ferry when, according to the Spanish Civil Guard, their Lamborghini Huracán suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking another vehicle on the A-52 motorway, causing the car to veer off the road near kilometre point 64 in the municipality of Cernadilla and catch fire. The crash occurred between 00:30 and 00:40 CEST. Emergency services later confirmed that both men died at the scene. They were 28 and 25, respectively. In a statement, the Spanish Civil Guard said that "all the evidence so far indicates" Jota was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash, and that the car "significantly exceeded the speed limit for the highway". The expert report is still being finalised and will be submitted to the court in Puebla de Sanabria.

A wake for the brothers was held on 4 July 2025 in Gondomar, Portugal, where hundreds of relatives, friends and public figures, including Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, gathered to pay their respects. The funeral took place the following morning at the nearby Igreja Paroquial de Gondomar, with Bishop Manuel Linda of Porto presiding over the mass. Liverpool teammates Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson carried floral tributes dedicated to Jota and Silva, respectively, while Portugal teammate Rúben Neves served as a pallbearer for Jota's casket. Following the service, the brothers were buried side by side in the cemetery adjacent to the church.

Tributes

Jota's sudden death received international media coverage, as well as messages from figures in the footballing world. Arne Slot, head coach of Liverpool at the time of Jota's death, released a statement through the club saying, "For us as a club, the sense of shock is absolute. Diogo was not just our player. He was a loved one to all of us. He was a teammate, a colleague, a workmate and in all of those roles he was very special." Fenway Sports Group CEO of football Michael Edwards and Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes also released a joint statement through the club stating, "Of course, we – his Liverpool family – are also struggling to come to terms with what has happened. ... This is a tragedy that transcends Liverpool Football Club."

On 11 July 2025, Liverpool announced that Jota's number 20 jersey would be retired at all levels at the club. Later that day, Jota's widow visited the memorial site at Anfield with members of the brothers' family. They were joined by Liverpool players and staff to view the tributes that had been left and to pay their respects. A substantial number of past and present Liverpool players posted tribute messages to Jota on social media. Ex-club captain Jordan Henderson visited the Anfield memorial site in person. Liverpool also opened books of condolence at Anfield and digitally for Diogo and André. The club also confirmed they would pay out the remaining salary of his current contract in instalments, in full, to Jota's family. His previous team Wolverhampton Wanderers, and director of football operations and administration Matt Wild, said: "We are all completely shocked. It's such devastating news, not only for the passing of Diogo, which is just tragic enough, but to lose his brother as well." On the Liverpool website, Jota remains listed as a member of the team under a banner reading "Forever".

Jürgen Klopp, who signed Jota for Liverpool in 2020, said, "Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father! We will miss you so much!" Cristiano Ronaldo, his Portugal teammate and captain, stated, "It just doesn't make any sense. Just now we were together in the national team, just now you were married." Rúben Neves, Francisco Conceição and several other Portugal teammates posted tributes to Jota. Former Liverpool player and manager Kenny Dalglish said: "Football is not important at this sad time. You feel helpless, knowing there's so little we can do to ease the pain for his wife of just two weeks, his three beautiful children."

FIFA president Gianni Infantino stated: "I am deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva ... they will both be so sorely missed by all those who knew them and by the worldwide football community." Following a request by the Portuguese Football Federation, a moment of silence was held before all games at the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 on 3 and 4 July 2025, including a match between Portugal and Spain where players wore black armbands. Moments of silence also took place during the quarter-finals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup on 4 and 5 July and the flags at FIFA Headquarters in Zürich were flown at half-mast.

Oasis' tribute to Jota at their Live '25 tour at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.

Portuguese president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed shock, highlighting Jota's youth, promising career, and recent family happiness, remarking that "he had his whole future ahead of him". Prime Minister Luís Montenegro described the deaths as "unexpected and tragic", noting that Jota greatly honoured Portugal. Prince William, patron of the Football Association, also paid tribute, stating: "As part of the footballing family, I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Diogo Jota and his brother. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him."

Icelandic singer Laufey paid tribute to Jota on 3 July 2025 during her concert in Liverpool by performing a rendition of "You'll Never Walk Alone". English rock band Oasis paid tribute to Jota during the first show of their reunion tour on 4 July in Cardiff; whilst performing "Live Forever", an image of Jota in his kit appeared on the stage display. Oasis' opening act, the Liverpool-based group Cast, dedicated their song "Walkaway" to Jota. Portuguese-American guitarist Nuno Bettencourt commemorated Jota at the Back to the Beginning concert on 5 July at Villa Park. Before performing Black Sabbath's song "Changes" with Yungblud, Bettencourt dressed in Jota's Liverpool number 20 jersey.

On 13 July 2025, Liverpool paid tribute to Jota and his brother Silva during a pre-season friendly match against Preston North End at Deepdale. Before kick-off, players and supporters observed a minute's silence, with both teams wearing black armbands. Preston captain Ben Whiteman laid a wreath in front of the Liverpool fans, who displayed banners reading "Forever our number 20." A rendition of "You'll Never Walk Alone" was performed, and digital tributes were shown around the stadium. On 6 September 2025, a moment of silence was held for Jota during Portugal's World Cup qualifying match against Armenia.

During the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris on 22 September, a tribute was paid to Jota and his brother Silva, featuring a moment of silence and a video montage in their honour.

Career statistics

Club

<table><thead><tr><th>Club</th><th>Season</th><th>League</th><th>National cup</th><th>League cup</th><th>Europe</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Division</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td></tr><tr><td>Paços de Ferreira</td><td>2014–15</td><td>Primeira Liga</td><td>10</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>—</td><td>11</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>2015–16</td><td>Primeira Liga</td><td>31</td><td>12</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>—</td><td>34</td><td>12</td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>41</td><td>14</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>—</td><td>45</td><td>15</td></tr><tr><td>Atlético Madrid</td><td>2016–17</td><td>La Liga</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Porto (loan)</td><td>2016–17</td><td>Primeira Liga</td><td>27</td><td>8</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>8</td><td>1</td><td>37</td><td>9</td></tr><tr><td>Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan)</td><td>2017–18</td><td>Championship</td><td>44</td><td>17</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>—</td><td>46</td><td>18</td></tr><tr><td>Wolverhampton Wanderers</td><td>2018–19</td><td>Premier League</td><td>33</td><td>9</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>—</td><td>37</td><td>10</td></tr><tr><td>2019–20</td><td>Premier League</td><td>34</td><td>7</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>14</td><td>9</td><td>48</td><td>16</td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>111</td><td>33</td><td>4</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>14</td><td>9</td><td>131</td><td>44</td></tr><tr><td>Liverpool</td><td>2020–21</td><td>Premier League</td><td>19</td><td>9</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>9</td><td>4</td><td>30</td><td>13</td></tr><tr><td>2021–22</td><td>Premier League</td><td>35</td><td>15</td><td>5</td><td>2</td><td>4</td><td>3</td><td>11</td><td>1</td><td>55</td><td>21</td></tr><tr><td>2022–23</td><td>Premier League</td><td>22</td><td>7</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>6</td><td>0</td><td>28</td><td>7</td></tr><tr><td>2023–24</td><td>Premier League</td><td>21</td><td>10</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>32</td><td>15</td></tr><tr><td>2024–25</td><td>Premier League</td><td>26</td><td>6</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>5</td><td>2</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>37</td><td>9</td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>123</td><td>47</td><td>9</td><td>4</td><td>15</td><td>6</td><td>35</td><td>8</td><td>182</td><td>65</td></tr><tr><td>Career total</td><td>302</td><td>102</td><td>16</td><td>7</td><td>20</td><td>6</td><td>57</td><td>18</td><td>395</td><td>133</td></tr></tbody></table>

International

<table><thead><tr><th>National team</th><th>Year</th><th>Apps</th><th>Goals</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Portugal</td><td>2019</td><td>2</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>2020</td><td>8</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td>12</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>7</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>7</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>10</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>3</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>49</td><td>14</td></tr></tbody></table>

Scores and results list Portugal's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Jota goal.

<table><thead><tr><th>No.</th><th>Date</th><th>Venue</th><th>Cap</th><th>Opponent</th><th>Score</th><th>Result</th><th>Competition</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>5 September 2020</td><td>Estádio do Dragão, Porto, Portugal</td><td>3</td><td> Croatia</td><td>2–0</td><td>4–1</td><td>2020–21 UEFA Nations League A</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>14 October 2020</td><td>Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal</td><td>7</td><td> Sweden</td><td>2–0</td><td>3–0</td><td>2020–21 UEFA Nations League A</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>3–0</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>27 March 2021</td><td>Red Star Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia</td><td>11</td><td> Serbia</td><td>1–0</td><td>2–2</td><td>2022 FIFA World Cup qualification</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>2–0</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>30 March 2021</td><td>Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg</td><td>12</td><td> Luxembourg</td><td>1–1</td><td>3–1</td><td>2022 FIFA World Cup qualification</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>19 June 2021</td><td>Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany</td><td>16</td><td> Germany</td><td>2–4</td><td>2–4</td><td>UEFA Euro 2020</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>7 September 2021</td><td>Baku Olympic Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan</td><td>21</td><td> Azerbaijan</td><td>3–0</td><td>3–0</td><td>2022 FIFA World Cup qualification</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>24 March 2022</td><td>Estádio do Dragão, Porto, Portugal</td><td>23</td><td> Turkey</td><td>2–0</td><td>3–1</td><td>2022 FIFA World Cup qualification</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>24 September 2022</td><td>Fortuna Arena, Prague, Czech Republic</td><td>28</td><td> Czech Republic</td><td>4–0</td><td>4–0</td><td>2022–23 UEFA Nations League A</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>11</td><td>11 September 2023</td><td>Estádio Algarve, Algarve, Portugal</td><td>33</td><td> Luxembourg</td><td>5–0</td><td>9–0</td><td>UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>12</td><td>7–0</td></tr><tr><td>13</td><td>4 June 2024</td><td>Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal</td><td>37</td><td> Finland</td><td>2–0</td><td>4–2</td><td>Friendly</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>14</td><td>8 June 2024</td><td>Estádio Nacional, Oeiras, Portugal</td><td>38</td><td> Croatia</td><td>1–1</td><td>1–2</td><td>Friendly</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Honours

Diogo Jota

• EFL Championship: 2017–18 • Wolves Hall of Fame

• Retired number #20: posthumous honour • Premier League: 2024–25 • FA Cup: 2021–22 • EFL Cup: 2021–22; runner-up: 2024–25 • UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2021–22

• UEFA Nations League: 2018–19, 2024–25

• Premier League Player of the Month: January 2024 • SJPF Young Player of the Month: October/November 2015 • Primeira Liga Goal of the Month: February 2016 • UEFA Champions League Breakthrough XI: 2020