Jota celebrates a goal for Liverpool by mimicking playing a video game with a controller, during a 2022 match. Photo: Reuters

The summer of 2025 should have been a time of celebration for Jota. He had just won his first Premier League title and lifted the Nations League trophy with Portugal. In mid-June, he married his partner of 13 years, Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children. After a few days of wedding bliss, Jota planned to return to England to rejoin Liverpool for pre-season training this week.

Tragedy struck when Jota and his younger brother, Andre Silva, were involved in a fatal car accident at midnight in Zamora province, northwestern Spain, near the Portuguese border. The car was mangled, and there were no survivors.

The football world was stunned. Jota, at just 28, was at the peak of his career, having won five major titles with his club and national team. He was considered a key player for Portugal's World Cup campaign next year. A heartbroken Cristiano Ronaldo captured the sentiment of many when he said, "It's all so senseless."

Jota (left) and Ronaldo playing for the Portuguese national team.

Jota was a gifted attacker with a sharp skill set. He was intelligent, tricky, difficult to defend, and especially dangerous in the penalty area. Liverpool fans nicknamed him "Jota – The Space Invader" for his composure and knack for being in the right place at the right time to score.

Jota honed his abilities through a journey of hard work and dedication. Starting at Gondomar, a small club in Porto, he joined Pacos de Ferreira's youth system in 2013. This launched his professional career, making his debut in 10/2014.

Jota's first professional season impressed Atletico Madrid, who signed him in the summer of 2016. However, loan spells at Porto and then Wolverhampton followed, meaning he never played for the Spanish club.

During the 2017/18 season, Jota scored 17 goals in 44 games, becoming a pivotal figure in Wolves' Championship-winning campaign. Wolves made his move permanent for 16 million USD.

Reigning Premier League champions Liverpool took notice. In 2020, they signed Jota for 58 million USD. He quickly proved his worth at Anfield, making a significant impact. Described as a "pressing monster" by assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders, Jota brought boundless energy to the pitch, inspiring his teammates and worrying opponents.

He also had a habit of delivering in crucial moments. He scored a brace against Arsenal in the 2022 Carabao Cup semi-final second leg, having earlier scored a penalty in the shootout win over Leicester. Last season, with Liverpool struggling against Nottingham Forest, Jota scored the equalizer in a vital January match.

His final goal was the winner against Everton in the Merseyside derby, propelling Liverpool closer to the title. The goal encapsulated his finest qualities: skillful dribbling to beat a defender, followed by a composed finish past Jordan Pickford.

In five seasons at Liverpool, Jota won every domestic trophy: the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup, and the Premier League. He scored 65 goals in 182 appearances, a tally that could have been higher if not for injuries. Beyond the goals, his contributions included his link-up play and connection with the fans.

As at Wolves, Jota became a conduit between the Liverpool supporters and the players. He understood the city's passion for football. Yet, he maintained his joy for the game, discipline, and desire to improve. These qualities endeared him to the fans, who even wrote a chant for him.

Jota was approachable and well-liked. He was highly professional and never caused any trouble for his managers. He was one of the most popular players in the Liverpool dressing room, particularly close to South American teammates like Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, and Alexis Mac Allister.

Jota's love for football extended beyond the pitch. A formidable FIFA player, he was ranked number one in the world in 2021 on FIFA 21 Champions, going undefeated in 30 matches. He also won the ePremier League FIFA 20 title in 2020, representing Wolves, beating Trent Alexander-Arnold in the final.

He was a top FIFA 23 player in Europe, competing in the eChampions League on PlayStation 5. His goal celebration, mimicking playing a video game with a controller, symbolized his twin passions.

Jota (left) and Alexander-Arnold during the ePremier League FIFA 20 final. Photo: EA

Jota even founded his own e-sports team in 2021, initially named after himself, before rebranding as Luna Galaxy in 2023. Sport was an integral part of his life. He was talented but humble, believing imperfections weren't something to fear. In an interview on Liverpool's website in 10/2024, he discussed the importance of mental health and how he maintained his well-being in elite football.

"Talk to someone, and don't be afraid to say what you're going through," Jota said. "I used to be like that. If I was afraid of something, I'd say it. Doing so makes a difference. It's one of the good reasons you should talk about your problems with others."

Being open and addressing issues directly isn't always a given for modern footballers. But Diogo Jota was not your typical footballer.

Compiled by Vy Anh