On Thursday, July 3, around noon, the football world was shaken by the tragic news that Liverpool’s forward Diogo Jota had passed away in a car accident alongside his brother, André Silva, who was also a footballer. The devastating news felt like a cruel joke, a bolt from the blue that everyone hoped was false. Sadly, it was all too real. The world had lost a brilliant Portuguese virtuoso.
In recent years, we had largely been spared the heartbreak of losing footballers to road accidents. Jota’s death brought back memories of the tragic passing of Spanish winger José Antonio Reyes, who died in a similar crash on June 1, 2019. Now, the life of one of Portugal’s finest active players has been unexpectedly cut short. At just 28 years old, Jota had built a career that many footballers can only dream of. This is a moment to reflect on everything he achieved during a career that spanned two decades.
The Early Years
Diogo José Teixeira da Silva was born on December 4, 1996, in Porto. He began his football journey with Gondomar, a club currently playing in Portugal’s fourth tier. From a young age, Jota showcased his natural talent, impressing both on the ball and with his movement off it. However, his physical attributes were seen as a limitation early on. Standing at 178 cm and weighing around 68–70 kg during his senior career, he lacked physical strength, which prevented him from achieving instant success. The big clubs initially overlooked his potential.
Paços de Ferreira: The Launchpad
In 2013, Jota signed for the youth team of Paços de Ferreira. A year later, he was promoted to the first team and quickly became one of the club’s key players during the 2014/15 season, becoming the youngest player in the club’s history to score in Portugal’s top flight. In his second season, he continued to impress, establishing himself as one of Portugal’s brightest young talents. Across two seasons with Paços de Ferreira, he played 41 matches and scored 14 goals, working tirelessly while living a modest, quiet life—a combination that proved to be a winning formula.
Two Seasons on Loan
In the summer of 2016, Jota signed for Atlético Madrid for a reported fee of €7 million. However, by the end of August, he was loaned to FC Porto. With fierce competition for places at Atlético under Diego Simeone, the decision was made to loan Jota out to ensure he had the game time needed for his development—a decision that would prove to be a masterstroke. In fact, Jota would never make an official appearance for Atlético, despite being under contract for two years.
During the 2016/17 season with Porto, Jota made 27 appearances and scored eight goals, making his Champions League debut and netting his first goal in the competition against Leicester City. For the 2017/18 season, he was loaned to Wolverhampton Wanderers, where it quickly became evident how well-suited he was to English football. With his explosive style and low center of gravity, he was a nightmare for opposing defenses, scoring 17 goals and helping Wolves secure promotion to the Premier League as Championship champions. Recognizing his value, Wolves signed Jota permanently from Atlético for €14 million—a move that proved to be a brilliant strategic investment.
Jota’s goals for Wolves
The Wolverhampton Era
From the summer of 2018 to the summer of 2020, Diogo Jota continued to develop rapidly at Wolves, showcasing his talent on the biggest stage in the Premier League. It’s no exaggeration to say he made the most of the opportunity, translating his potential into consistent performances. In his first season, he scored against English giants such as Chelsea, Newcastle, and Manchester United, even netting a hat-trick against Leicester. His contributions were pivotal in helping Wolves reach the FA Cup semi-finals and secure a seventh-place finish in the Premier League, earning them a spot in the Europa League.
In his second season, Jota continued his upward trajectory, particularly excelling in European competitions. He scored against Crusaders and Pyunik and recorded hat-tricks against both Beşiktaş and Espanyol, helping Wolves reach the Europa League quarter-finals, where they were eventually eliminated by Sevilla. Wolves also finished seventh in the Premier League once again. During his two years under contract at Wolverhampton, Jota made 67 appearances and scored 16 goals, becoming a fan favorite at Molineux.
Proving His Talent at Liverpool
It became clear that it was finally time for Jota to make the move to a big club. In the summer of 2020, at just under 24 years old, he transferred to Liverpool for €44.7 million. Over the next five years, Jota would experience the peak of his career at this English football giant. He scored his first goal for the Reds on his Premier League debut against Arsenal at Anfield. In his first 10 competitive matches, he netted seven goals. In October 2020, the fans voted him Player of the Month. Despite missing three months due to injury, he scored nine goals in his first season, helping Liverpool finish third in the Premier League.
In the 2021/22 season, Jota was once again outstanding. He was named Player of the Month by his teammates in November 2021. That season, Liverpool came close to winning an unprecedented quadruple. They lifted both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, finished second in the Premier League with 92 points (just one behind Manchester City), and narrowly lost the Champions League final to Real Madrid, 1-0. Jota showcased his class by scoring crucial penalty shootout goals in both domestic cup finals after goalless draws over 120 minutes.
A Unique Playing Style
Jota stood out for his versatility and work rate. Although right-footed, he was very comfortable using his left as well. He primarily played as a left or right winger but could also operate as a striker or false nine. His football intelligence was exceptional; he read the game well both on and off the ball, positioning himself in the right spaces at the right time. He was a true space exploiter, drifting wide before cutting inside towards the box with perfect timing, stretching defensive lines with his movements. Technically gifted and an excellent dribbler, he also knew how to hold up the ball when necessary, avoiding rash decisions. These qualities made him a classy player. While often providing assists, he was also a composed finisher, frequently making late runs into the box and calmly converting chances. He scored with both feet and was particularly effective in one-on-one situations with goalkeepers.
A Passionate Attacker and Defender
Although not physically imposing, Jota’s top fitness levels and football skills made him quick and efficient, especially in transitions. He compensated for any physical shortcomings with hard work, discipline on and off the pitch, a strict diet, and a fully professional lifestyle. Unlike many wingers who are reluctant to defend (such as Neymar, Jadon Sancho, or sometimes Cristiano Ronaldo), Jota never hesitated to track back and help his midfielders and full-backs defend against opposition attacks. He would often drop deep into defensive positions, a rare trait for wingers, and he expended energy in every phase of the game—an example future footballers should follow. It is players like him who make football enjoyable for the average fan.
A Player of Consistency
In the 2022/23 season, Jota struggled with a hamstring injury but performed well upon his return. However, a calf injury prevented him from participating in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. It was a disappointing season for Liverpool, who finished fifth in the Premier League, exited in the Champions League Round of 16, and fell in the early rounds of the domestic cups. The following season was more successful. Jota stepped up during Mohamed Salah’s absence (due to the Africa Cup of Nations), scoring five goals and providing two assists while linking up superbly with Darwin Núñez. Unfortunately, injuries returned in the spring, but he still contributed to Liverpool’s League Cup victory, third-place Premier League finish, and runs to the quarter-finals of the Europa League and FA Cup.
The 2024/25 season turned out to be the pinnacle of Jota’s career at Liverpool. He played a crucial role in helping the Reds win the Premier League, a title they valued above all others. Over his five years at Liverpool, Jota played 123 matches and scored 47 goals. Internationally, he won the Nations League with Portugal in 2019 and 2025, earning 49 caps and scoring 14 goals for his country. His last match was Portugal’s Nations League triumph over Spain on June 8—a game that, tragically, turned out to be his final farewell to football.
Jota’s goals for Liverpool
A Tragic End
A moment of inattention and unfortunate circumstances led to Diogo Jota’s untimely death in a car accident on July 3 in Spain’s Zamora province. The tragedy is immeasurable for his family, as he leaves behind a wife, three young children, and his parents. His brother, André Silva—also a footballer, though playing in Portugal’s second division with Penafiel—also lost his life in the crash, adding to the heartbreak.
It is difficult to talk about football at a time like this, but had Jota lived, he could have easily played another six or seven seasons at the highest level. He could have helped Portugal in future World Cups and European Championships and might have aided Liverpool in their pursuit of the Champions League. Sadly, that will not happen. Still, Jota has secured his place in history as one of the greats of Portuguese and European football. That is something that can never be taken away from him.
Author: Matija Šerić
Featured image: heute.at
