Diogo Jota, whose real name is Diogo Silva, was born in Portugal, Porto in December 1996, and began his football journey in his home country at Gondomar SC before breaking through at Paços de Ferreira.
Fans, footballers, and influential figures have all paid tribute to Diego Jota, who's death was announced on Thursday 3 July.
The striker's career saw him play in La Liga, Liga Portugal, and the Premier League alongside a number of international tournaments.
But before he was earning trophies, Diogo Jota, whose real name is Diogo Silva, was born in Portugal, Porto in December 1996. He began his football journey in his home country at Gondomar SC before breaking through at Paços de Ferreira.
The talented forward was then signed by Atlético Madrid in 2016 at aged 20. Though he never made an appearance for the Spanish side, he showcased his immense potential.
It was at Wolverhampton Wanderers where Jota truly flourished, scoring 17 goals in their 2017–18 Championship-winning campaign and becoming a vital player in their return to the Premier League.
His performances earned him a permanent move and, eventually, a transfer to Liverpool FC in 2020 for a reported £41 million under the management of former Liverpool head coach Jürgen Klopp.
At Anfield, Jota became a key component of Klopp’s high-intensity attack – he scored 65 goals in 182 appearances, helping the club to win major tournaments, including the FA Cup (2022), two Carabao Cups (2022, 2024), and most recently, the 2024–25 Premier League title.
Jota struggled with injuries at Liverpool, missing 99 games for club and country during his time at Anfield because of muscular problems, a knee ligament tear and calf issues.
Playing in the Premier League, and helping Liverpool to the trophy this season, was something he could “not even dream” of when he was a child, he said.
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com in June, Jota said : “It is a remarkable achievement for a small guy that came from Gondomar, where I had this dream. To arrive at this moment was outstanding.
“It’s massive. It’s something I could not even dream when I was a kid. I wanted to play in the Premier League but I didn’t even imagine to win it, I just wanted to be there playing. I knew it was the best league in the world.”
On the international stage, he represented Portugal 49 times, playing in Euro 2020, the 2022 World Cup, and lifting two UEFA Nations League trophies — in 2019 and again earlier this year.
Off the pitch, Jota had recently married his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso, just 11 days before his death. The couple shared three young children.
His two young sons and baby daughter, born only in November, were by his side as he celebrated Liverpool’s Premier League title win in May.
He proposed to Cardoso in 2022 after almost 10 years together. Their daughter was born in November 2024.
Jota died alongside his brother, Andre Silva, also a professional footballer, who played for Penafiel.
The two men died after the car in which they were travelling crashed in Zamora, Spain, in the early hours of Thursday.
Liverpool said they were “devastated” at the “unimaginable loss”.
Liverpool FC paid tribute to Jota as a “beloved teammate and a world-class player,” and tributes have poured in from across the globe.
The Portuguese Football Federation announced a minute’s silence will be held at all upcoming matches in his honour.