Liverpool forward Diogo Jota came on as a substitute as Portugal beat Spain on penalties to win the UEFA Nations League
Diogo Jota of Portugal poses for a photo with the UEFA Nations League trophy during the official UEFA Nations League 2025 Winners' shoot after the UEFA Nations League Final between Spain and Portugal at Munich Football Arena
Diogo Jota of Portugal poses for a photo with the UEFA Nations League trophy during the official UEFA Nations League 2025 Winners' shoot after the UEFA Nations League Final between Spain and Portugal at Munich Football Arena
(Image: 2025 UEFA)
It has been a strange season for Diogo Jota. The Portuguese started the campaign as first choice at Liverpool under Arne Slot and scored the first goal of the Dutchman’s reign at Ipswich Town.
But he would score just once more in the Premier League before being struck down by injury against Chelsea in mid-October. While Jota would score a late equaliser on his return at home to Fulham two months later, his season ultimately never recovered.
There were still highlights, of course. A vital equaliser at Nottingham Forest and the winner in the Anfield Merseyside derby for starters. But they would be Jota's only goals against Premier League opposition in 2025.
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The 28-year-old finished the season with nine goals from 37 appearances, with such a return his second-lowest since first moving to English football in 2017.
Liverpool now look to sign a new centre-forward this summer, with Jota’s future uncertain as a result.
While a departure is not as likely as fellow striker Darwin Nunez, it has still been a frustrating individual campaign for Jota as he found himself predominantly reduced to a back-up role following his return from injury.
Of course, the bigger picture is he still finished the season as a Premier League champion, as he added to his League Cup and FA Cup winners' medals from 2022.
And he has now added further silverware with Portugal after they lifted the Nations League on Sunday night.
As is the case with his club, Jota has predominantly been limited to substitute duty for his nation in recent times since Roberto Martinez’s appointment in January 2023.
Making 20 appearances under the Spaniard, he has started only five times. Meanwhile, he is on an 11-game scoring drought for his country, dating back to last June ahead of Euro 2024.
Jota came on for just 22 minutes during the Nations League finals, introduced in the 83rd minute of Portugal’s semi-final win over Germany before coming on at half-time in extra-time as they locked horns with Spain in the final.
Portugal would triumph 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw with Jota - who also won the Nations League in 2019 - not called upon to take a spot-kick.
The forward could be forgiven for feeling mixed emotions if his celebrations were again tinged with an air of frustration at his own individual involvement.
He did not show it though when thanking supporters after the final whistle. Taking to Twitter, he shared a picture of himself holding the Nations League trophy and wrote: “With you by our side, everything is possible. Thank you, Portugal!”
His pinned tweet remains a picture of Jota holding aloft the Premier League trophy while wearing a Portugal flag around his waist, writing: “No. 20. Meant to be. #YNWA”.
A firm fan favourite, Liverpool will hope Jota returns for pre-season training next month refreshed and with a spring in his step after his success for club and country.
But having been left unable to play a starring role in either triumph, it could provide Jota with extra motivation to stake his claim next season.
Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate was left unused as France finished third in the Nations League after beating Germany 2-0 thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise.
After the Liverpool defender had come under fire following France's semi-final loss to Spain, he was one of eight changes Didier Deschamps made to his side for the third-place play-off.