Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota tragically died in a car crash at the age of just 28 on Thursday, July 3. The Premier League footballer and his younger brother, Andre Silva, both lost their lives in a devastating accident near Zamora, close to Spain’s north-western border with Portugal. The fatal crash occurred just days after Jota’s wedding to his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso.
Jota began his senior professional career in 2014 with Portuguese Primeira Liga club Paços de Ferreira after spending eight years in Gondomar SC’s youth academy. In two seasons, he scored 15 goals in 45 appearances. His performances caught the attention of Atlético Madrid, who signed him in the summer of 2016. However, on August 26, 2016, Jota was loaned to FC Porto, where he netted 9 goals in 37 matches, including a memorable first-half hat-trick in a 4–0 away victory over Nacional.
On July 25, 2017, he joined EFL Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers on a season-long loan, with an option to buy. He scored a career-best 17 league goals that season, helping Wolves win the Championship and secure promotion to the Premier League. The move was made permanent shortly after.
Over the next two seasons with Wolves in the Premier League, Jota scored 26 goals and provided numerous assists, attracting interest from England’s top clubs. Liverpool secured his signature on September 19, 2020, for a reported transfer fee of £45 million. He debuted in the EFL Cup five days later, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 7–2 win over Lincoln City. He marked his Premier League debut with a goal against Arsenal and soon after scored Liverpool’s 10,000th goal in a UEFA Champions League match against Midtjylland.
On November 3, he netted a hat-trick in a 5–0 away win at Atalanta, becoming the first player since Robbie Fowler in 1993 to score seven goals in his first ten appearances for the club.
Jota finished his debut season at Liverpool with nine league goals, including a standout backheel finish in a 4–2 victory over Manchester United that helped the team secure third place in the league and a Champions League berth.
The 2021–22 season was another successful campaign, with Liverpool clinching the FA Cup and EFL Cup double, while Jota scored 21 goals across competitions. Despite losing to Real Madrid in the Champions League final, Jota’s performance remained consistent.
The 2022–23 season proved challenging due to recurring injuries, with Jota missing several crucial fixtures and finishing without any silverware. However, he bounced back in 2023–24, scoring 15 goals and helping Liverpool win the EFL Cup and finish third in the Premier League behind Manchester City and Arsenal.
In the 2024–25 season, Jota played a key role as Liverpool ended their five-year wait for the Premier League title under new manager Arne Slot. On April 2, 2025, Jota scored the decisive goal in a Merseyside Derby win over Everton at Anfield—his final official goal for the club.
On the international stage, Jota represented Portugal in UEFA Euro 2020, scoring against Germany in the group stage before their exit in the Round of 16 against Belgium. Unfortunately, he missed the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar due to a calf injury.
He returned to represent Portugal in UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany, featuring in matches against the Czech Republic, Georgia, and Slovenia. In May 2025, he was selected for Portugal’s UEFA Nations League Finals squad. Portugal triumphed over Spain 5–3 in a penalty shootout in the final, marking Jota’s last appearance in international football.
His sudden passing has left the football world in shock, with tributes pouring in from fans, teammates, and clubs around the globe. Diogo Jota’s legacy will be remembered for his energy, versatility, and key contributions at both club and international levels.
