English team stated that he was ‘devastated by the tragic death’ of the Portuguese team and his brother André in a car accident that occurred at dawn in Spain
An elegant, captivating attacker with a “contagious happiness” was dear wherever he went, especially in, where the death of the father of three newlywed children leaves a huge void. Diogo José Teixeira da Silva, known as Jota, adapted well to the popular city of northwestern England, thanks to his sense of sacrifice for the collective, a player who made fame without giving up humility and smile. The last of its 65 goals for the ‘Reds’ took place in Anfield, against the legendary KOP stands after a stunning performance against the local rival (1-0) in early April. It all summed up who he was as a player: pressure, a right -foot dribble to escape one opponent, another with his left foot to get rid of another and a straight cross to the goal, which he celebrated by pointing to the club’s shield.
Liverpool stated that it was “devastated by the tragic death” of the Portuguese team player and his brother André in a car accident that occurred at dawn in Spain.
Broken heart
O, his first club in England and from which he jumped to Anfield, said he was “broken heart” and recalled that the player “was very dear to our fans, as well as his teammates and all who worked with him.” “It’s hard to receive this kind of news and I can’t believe it. An excellent teammate, friend and, above all, a great father,” said Mexican striker Raúl Jiménez, who played with Jota at Wolves.
The president of the Portuguese Football Federation, Pedro Proença, also pointed out that “besides being a fantastic player, with almost 50 games for the main team (…) was an extraordinary person, respected by all his companions and opponents”. Nicknamed “Diogo J” and later as “Jota”, the port -born athlete began his career in another northern club of Portugal, the modest Paços de Ferreira.
He was quickly discovered by (2016), although he never made his debut for the Spanish capital club. Initially, it was loaned to Porto (2016-2017) and, the following season, to Wolverhampton, which had just won the Championship, 2nd English Division. With Wolves, he discovered the Premier League and his good performance led the club north of Birmingham to acquire his rights in January 2018.
Liverpool and his coach at the time, the German, decided to hire him in 2020, delighted with this multipurpose striker, capable of playing both the sides and in the middle, generous in pressure and skilled to escape the marking and explore the spaces. “It’s a time when I’m fighting! There must be a greater purpose! But I don’t see it! I’m heartbroken with the death of Diogo and his brother André,” Klopp wrote on his Instagram profile.
Competition with Salah, Firmino and Mané
There was doubts about its hiring, since its value (50 million euros) was considered as high by certain sectors for a club that already had a well -equipped attack (Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino), but the uncertainty was soon dissipated. The rapid integration of this video game lover, owner of a eSports team, took place thanks to the six goals scored between October and November 2020, in just 11 days and 249 minutes distributed in four matches.
With the ‘Reds’, shirt 20 managed to enrich his career, with a Champions League final (2022) played and four trophies won: at the English League Cup (2022, 2024), the England Cup (2022) and the Premier League, won in late April, the 20th in the club’s history. With Portugal, Jota accumulated 49 games, 14 goals and two titles from the League of Nations (2019, 2025) next to the star.
“Still now we were together in the national team, still married. To your family, your wife and your children, send my feelings and wish them all the strength of the world. I know you will always be with them,” wrote the five times winner of the Golden Ball in their X and Instagram accounts. Jota married Ruth Cardoso, his companion of several years and with whom he had three children, ten days before his death on June 22.
*With information from AFP
Posted by Fernando Dias
