The football world is in mourning after Liverpool forward Diogo Jota tragically died in a car accident alongside his brother Andre Silva on Thursday. The 28-year-old star overcame a heart condition early in his career to achieve remarkable success with the Reds, having joined from Wolves in 2020.
Jota was instrumental in Liverpool's Premier League triumph last season, making 26 appearances and contributing significantly to their title win. He scored 65 goals in 182 matches for the Reds and also helped Liverpool win the FA Cup and League Cup during his time at Anfield. On the international stage, Jota celebrated winning the Nations League with Portugal for the second time in June. Yet, his career was almost ended before it began when a heart issue was detected during his medical with Pacos de Ferreira in 2013.
At just 17 years old, Jota faced the prospect of his football dreams being shattered but remained composed throughout the ordeal. Gilberto Andrade, youth team co-ordinator at Pacos de Ferreira, remembered the forward's stoic attitude during that uncertain time, even though his parents feared Jota's career would end in his teenage years.
"We never made a big deal of it – these situations happen very often and are usually clarified right after," Andrade told The Telegraph in 2020. "He always remained calm."
Liverpool ace Jota previously opened up about the fears he faced when his career hung in the balance, recalling to FourFourTwo Magazine in 2021: "That was a difficult moment. It had the sort of impact that made me ask, 'Will I be able to continue playing?'
"But I always keep a positive mentality in those situations, trusting that everything was going to be all right. I knew it could mean quitting football, but I didn't believe for a second that it was going to happen."
"In Portugal, we use the phrase, 'You shouldn't put the cart before the horse' – don't draw conclusions before you know the facts," Jota added. "The whole thing happened on my first day of work, when you undergo fitness tests."
"It was a bit of a scare because there was some alteration in my electrocardiogram. I had to be submitted for an electrophysiological study. Only after that was I given medical clearance to continue playing. I ended up missing part of pre-season and my senior debut was delayed."
On Thursday, tragedy struck as the Liverpool star and his brother Andre were involved in a fatal car accident in Zamora, Spain. A Guardia Civil statement said: "The information we have so far is that the car, which was a Lamborghini, was in a traffic accident and left the road due to a tyre blow out while overtaking."
Jota had tied the knot with his long-term partner Rute Cardoso as recently as June 22, and they have three children together.
A club statement from Liverpool read: "Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.
"Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre's family, friends, team-mates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss. We will continue to provide them with our full support."