)
Diogo José Teixeira da Silva, commonly known as Diogo Jota, sadly passed away on July 3, 2025, at just 28 years old. His sudden death shocked the football world. In this article, we take a look at the life, legacy and career of the late Portuguese forward.
In his short life, Jota moved from humble beginnings in Porto to playing for elite clubs like Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool. He scored vital goals, won major trophies, and proudly represented Portugal, helping the team to two Nations League titles.
Who Was Diogo Jota?
)
Born on December 4, 1996, in Porto, Portugal, Jota began his youth career at Gondomar before moving to Paços de Ferreira’s academy
He made his senior debut in 2014 and soon caught the attention of Atlético Madrid. A loan spell at Porto followed, where Jota made an immediate impact, scoring eight goals in the 2016-17 season.
In 2017, he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan, helping them win the Championship in 2018 and secure Premier League promotion. In 2020, Jota made the move of his life by signing for Liverpool, becoming a key player in Jürgen Klopp’s team. His dynamic style, work ethic, and knack for important goals made him a fan favourite.
Diogo Jota Club Career
Paços de Ferreira (2014-2016)
)
Jota joined Pacos’ youth team in 2013 and earned a promotion to the senior team in the following year. The forward became the youngest player to score for the club in the top division after his first set of goals for Académica de Coimbra in 2015. It was the same year he signed a five-year deal with the club.
Jota played 41 times for Paços and scored 14 goals before he was sold to Spanish side Atlético Madrid in 2016.
Atlético Madrid, Porto (2016 - 2018)
)
After signing a five-year deal with the Spanish giants in 2026, Jota was immediately loaned to Porto, where he played for one full season before joining English side Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan the next season.
Wolverhampton Wanderers (2017–2020)
)
Jota first impressed during his loan spell, scoring 17 goals in 44 Championship games and helping Wolves return to the Premier League.
After making the move permanent in 2018, he added 16 Premier League goals across two seasons, earning respect for his pace, precision, and fearlessness.
Liverpool (2020–2025)
)
Jota was soon picked up by PL top side Liverpool, where he went on to achieve a lot of great things.
Over 123 Premier League appearances, Jota scored 47 goals, helping Liverpool win the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in the 2021-22 season, and was part of the squad that clinched the Premier League title in 2024–25. He also appeared in the 2022 Champions League final.
Jota’s versatility to play wide or centrally, his clinical finishing, and his relentless work rate added a new dimension to Liverpool's attack.
Diogo Jota International Career
After representing Portugal across different age-grade teams, Jota eventually earned his first senior call-up in March 2019, though it was not until November of the same year before he made his senior debut against Lithuania in a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier.
Jota earned 49 caps for Portugal between 2019 and 2025, scoring 14 goals, the first of which came in a 4-1 home win over Croatia in the UEFA Nations League in September 2020.
He was part of the squad that won the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and again in 2025. Though injuries kept him from Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup, he still
Diogo Jota Achievements
)
Club Level
Liverpool: Premier League (2024–25), FA Cup (2021–22), League Cup (2021–22, 2023–24)
Wolverhampton: Championship (2017–18)
International Level
)
Portugal: UEFA Nations League (2019, 2025)
Diogo Jota Stats
)
Club appearances: 395
Club goals: 193
International caps: 49
International goals: 14
Paços de Ferreira: 45 appearances, 15 goals
Wolverhampton Wanderers: 131 appearances, 44 goals
Liverpool: 182 appearances, 65 goals
Diogo Jota Accident and Death
)
On 3 July 2025, tragedy struck. Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, a 26-year-old player with Penafiel, were involved in a fatal car crash that claimed their lives on Spain’s A-52 motorway, near Zamora.
Reports indicate that a tyre blowout caused the vehicle to veer off the road and burst into flames at kilometre 65.
The news of their deaths prompted tributes from the Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, UEFA, and clubs including Liverpool and Porto, where he once played.
Diogo Jota Wife and Family
)
The tragedy is even more heartrending because it came just 10 days after his wedding to long-time partner Rute Cardoso. They were parents to three young children, Denis and Duarte, who were boys, and a daughter.
Diogo Jota Video Games
Jota was more than just a footballer; he also had a strong passion for gaming and was even ranked world number one on the FIFA 21 Champions Leaderboard in February 2021.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, he participated in a Premier League invitational FIFA tournament and went on to win the competition, beating future Liverpool teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold in the final.
Jota also had his own eSports team, known as Luna Galaxy (formerly called Diogo Jota eSports), and often streamed his games live on Twitch.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)