Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher were among the thousands to pay tribute
Today marks Diogo Jota's 29th birthday
Today marks Diogo Jota's 29th birthday(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
View Image
Liverpool FC have paid tribute to Diogo Jota on what would have been his 29th birthday. The Portuguese forward tragically died in a car accident with his brother Andre Silva in July.
The footballing world united in mourning after the devastating incident with outpourings of support issued from all corners. Liverpool FC retired the number 20 shirt in honour of the forward who made the number his own during his time in a Red shirt. Jota's legacy will never be forgotten and the club have taken to social media today to pay a heartfelt tribute on a poignant day.
A post on Instagram said: "Today, as every day, we remember Diogo Jota on what would have been his 29th birthday. All of our love, thoughts and prayers continue to be with his wife Rute, his children, parents and all of his family and friends, as well as those of his brother, Andre.
"Forever in our hearts, forever our number 20." Thousands of comments have been left on the post in tribute to Jota. Liverpool legends Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher took to the comments to share a heart emoji.
After the tragic news emerged in July, the ECHO travelled to the brothers' native Gondomar to hear from members of the local community about the incredible legacy they leave behind in their home city.
The academy at Gondomar Sporte Club was renamed in honour of Jota in 2022 as the forward played for the team until he was 17 years old before he joined Paços de Ferreira.
To commemorate his time at the club, a mural was created featuring an image of Jota as a child in the Gondomar kit and then later in his career when he represented the Portugal national side.
A quote on the centre of the mural reads : "Nao e importante de onde vimos mas sim para onde vamos." A translation of this reads: "It's not important where we come from but where we're going."
Members of the community told the ECHO about the meaning behind the quote as Jota's journey to become a Premier League star was one of the reasons he symbolised so much to the people of Gondomar.
Most stars who end up representing the Portugal national side are snatched up during their early years by the big clubs such as Benfica, Sporting Lisbon and Porto. However, Jota stayed with his local team in Gondomar until he was 17 years old and only enjoyed a year long loan spell at Porto, before he made the move to England
A Gondomar native named Goncalo Ferreira said this unique journey is why he is such an inspirational figure to the people in the small city located 7km east of Porto. He said: "It's not usual in football.
"When kids are 12/13, they go to the biggest clubs like Porto, Sporting and Benfica. He didn't go that way. He marked his career in football in a special way because he didn't follow everyone.
"He followed his convictions." Rita Silva also echoed the meaning of the quotes as she explained how Jota was an inspiration to his community.
The 17-year-old said: "He was the boy who got out. This is a small city and all of us dream to win in life and go to be the best in every work field we can. He got out - he was the one who got out and he was an example for everyone.
"He was a kid like us. He went to our school. He played in our fields and he won in life." Jota's legacy rising from his humble roots to become a Premier League star is something the community will always treasure.
Locals also value how he continued to represent his community throughout his journey to the top as Celia Almeida said: "He was always the boy from Gondomar."
The ECHO spoke to Jota and Silva's childhood friend, Cosme Oliveira, who explained how what they symbolised will continue to inspire the next generation, as Jota's quote on the walls on the Estádio de São Miguel will always remain true.
The 30-year-old said: "They never lost their roots here. They never forgot this little town and what we represent. The good memories that we have with them here will always live."