A recurring theme of the heartfelt tributes to Diogo Jota emanating from Portugal in recent days, is how his humility, character and selflessness impacted so many others.
The world of soccer remains in a state of mourning and shock following the tragic passing of the Liverpool star and his brother, Andre Silva, on Thursday morning. Tributes have come from all corners of the globe, from sportspeople to politicians, royalty to rock stars.
But in the Portuguese city of Porto, and the surrounding areas, the emotion feels particularly raw. In Gondomar, located just a few miles away, Jota and his brother were laid to rest on Saturday, as his grieving family somehow tries coming to terms with the death of two sons.
Stories of Jota’s impact on the region have been filtering through in recent days, with a myriad of tributes offered. People want to share their stories, reflect on the enormity of the 28-year-old’s generosity.
His legacy will live on in so many ways. Paulo Goncalves, the technical secretary of Pacos de Ferreira revealed one such example in a recent interview.
Pacos was Jota’s first-ever professional club, the side he joined in 2013, as he began his unorthodox route to the top of the game. Unlike the majority of his Portugal and Liverpool teammates, Jota wasn’t a member of an elite academy or childhood star clearly destined to be a star.
FC Pacos de Ferreira's midfielder Diogo Jota with Rio Ave FC's midfielder Alhassan Wakaso in action during the Taca de Portugal match between FC Pacos de Ferreira and Rio Ave FC at Estadio da Mata Real on November 22, 2015 in Pacos de Ferreira, Portugal.
Jota playing for Pacos in 2015. (Image: Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Despite that, he managed to establish himself firmly among the elite. That graft was evident in the way Jota played, as were his unique technical attributes.
In climbing the mountain, others invariably benefited. Goncalves, speaking to The Athletic, detailed how the fee from Jota's transfer to Atletico Madrid in 2016 allowed Pacos to build what he referred to as the “Diogo Jota stand”, a new, swankier update on the previous stand.
“He was always in touch, always sending us messages, especially in difficult moments,” said Goncalves, before reflecting on how Jota hugged his mother after scoring his first goal for the club.
It’s a story from Portugal that tallies up with other memories of Jota. Gondomar SC president Alvaro Cerqueira revealed how he spoke to Jota just hours before his tragic death.
The bodies of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva are carried into the Mother Church of Gondomar
The bodies of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva are carried into the Mother Church of Gondomar (Image: AFP or licensors)
"We spoke almost every week, and I know he was going through a happy moment,” Cerqueira told JN.
“When Diogo needed to train during the off-season, he would ask to come here, and we would always make everything available.
“His brother would usually come too, and they would both train. It is difficult to talk at a time like this, but what will remain is the image of two very humble people, who leave a huge void.”
Jota and his brother both played for Gondomar as children, with the club’s academy named after the former.