The wave of grief across the football world following the death of Diogo Jota underscores the deep admiration he commanded. While his talent captivated fans, teammates, and coaches, there was a profound quality about him that makes his passing painful even for those who didn`t know him personally.
A perfect illustration comes from an interview four years ago. His early seasons at Liverpool were marked by success despite injuries, culminating in a starring role as the Reds contended fiercely for domestic and European honours. When asked to reflect on his journey to stardom, particularly overcoming the challenges of playing for his local team, Gondomar, at 16 on a pay-to-play basis, Jota shifted the focus.
“I wasn’t paying, my parents were,” Jota told the BBC. “I remember that was the hardest thing for me, I could see their struggle to get the money into the club. I think that caused me a debt that I will never pay back. Obviously, I try to.”
This was a superstar who never forgot that his success owed as much to the support of others as it did to his remarkable skill. As Jurgen Klopp put it that same year, he was not merely an “exceptional player” but also an “exceptional boy.”
Jota also possessed dazzling talent on the pitch. Championship defenders encountered this firsthand during Wolves` promotion season, where he could single-handedly dominate matches. His exhilarating mix of abilities was perfectly captured in his final goal for Liverpool: a dance past Idrissa Gueye, a precise touch, and a brilliant low strike that downed Everton and propelled Arne Slot`s side towards the title. Jota had that crucial “clutch” factor – recall his equalizer on his first visit to Old Trafford as a Red, the dramatic late winner against Tottenham, or his consistent ability to frustrate Arsenal.
These moments secured him a special place in supporters` hearts. Yet, there felt like something more, a depth of character that prompted a former Wolves fan to visit Anfield in tribute. “He wore his heart there,” the fan told Hayters, clutching his old gold shirt. “When he kissed the badge, you knew he meant it.”
Jota genuinely cared and worked tirelessly. There was never a hint of frustration voiced publicly when he lost his starting spot, nor any attempts to force a move from Molineux to Anfield. When injuries struck, he redoubled his efforts, battling through physical issues last year to make a vital impact for Liverpool in the final stretch. Look back at that last goal – the dribble and finish are captivating, but its origin was his diligence in winning the ball high up the pitch with a tackle. A Portugal international with over 40 caps, a player with nothing left to prove, he would always outwork his opponents.
While it feels almost inappropriate to discuss statistics during such a tragedy, his profile reveals something about Jota the man. When Michael Edwards` recruitment team identified the then-23-year-old as potentially breaking up the formidable trio of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, and Mohamed Salah, they saw a player who consistently got into scoring positions, whose expected goals would eventually translate into actual output. These numbers reflected Jota`s personal qualities; he might not have been the biggest or strongest, or even the absolute fastest (though he had a great burst of pace), but he worked harder than any forward to get into areas where he could decisively impact the game for his team.
Assistant manager Pep Lijnders praised him as a “pressing monster.” Despite the attacking talent Portugal possessed, they always seemed a better team with Jota involved. Liverpool fans adored the player from Portugal, chanting he was “better than Figo, don`t you know,” not least because he always seemed to find time for supporters in need.
In his 28 years, Jota brought immense joy to countless football fans. His death, and that of his brother, feels exceptionally cruel given the happiness he was just beginning to fully embrace: winning the Premier League title, achieving more international honours with Portugal, and of course, his marriage to long-term partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children.
His story should have continued with more trophies and perhaps mentoring the next generation of footballers. Tragically, all of that pales in significance compared to the life he and Rute were building together.
Both on and off the pitch, Jota embodied the best of the sport. His approach to his profession earned widespread admiration. As his Wolves and Portugal teammate Ruben Neves said, “They say that we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you.”
Football will be a better place if others follow his example.
