Diogo Jota is one of Portugal’s most accomplished footballers, known for his agility, clinical finishing, and relentless work ethic. As of 2025, Jota plays as a forward for Liverpool FC in the English Premier League and the Portugal national team. With over 40 international appearances and multiple club-level honors, he has solidified his reputation as a world-class attacking player.
Early Life and Youth Career
Diogo José Teixeira da Silva, commonly known as Diogo Jota, was born on December 4, 1996, in Massarelos, Porto, Portugal (source: Premier League).
He began playing football in the youth ranks of Gondomar SC before moving to Paços de Ferreira’s academy. His performances at youth level quickly attracted attention for his technical ability and sharp instincts in front of goal.
Professional Debut and Rise in Portugal
Jota made his senior debut for Paços de Ferreira in 2014. In the 2015–16 Primeira Liga season, he scored 14 goals, making him one of the league’s top young talents (source: Transfermarkt).
His breakout performances led to a move to Atlético Madrid in 2016. Although he didn’t make a competitive appearance for Atlético, he was loaned to FC Porto, where he continued to develop, scoring 9 goals in the 2016–17 Primeira Liga.
Move to Wolverhampton Wanderers
In 2017, Jota joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan, helping the club win the EFL Championship and secure promotion to the Premier League. He scored 17 goals in that season alone (source: Wolves FC).
Wolves signed him permanently in 2018, where he continued to deliver strong performances, notably scoring a hat-trick against Leicester City in January 2019. He became known for his pace, direct play, and goal-scoring instincts.
Liverpool FC Career
Jota signed with Liverpool FC in September 2020 in a reported £45 million transfer (source: Liverpool FC).
At Liverpool, he quickly established himself as a key attacking option alongside Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané (later Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz), and Roberto Firmino. Jota’s adaptability allowed him to play across the front line, offering tactical flexibility.
Notable Liverpool highlights include:
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Scoring a debut goal against Arsenal in the Premier League (September 2020).
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A hat-trick against Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League (November 2020).
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Contributing to Liverpool’s qualification for the Champions League in multiple seasons.
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Playing in the 2021–22 season when Liverpool won both the FA Cup and EFL Cup (source: BBC Sport).
International Career with Portugal
Jota earned his first senior cap for Portugal in 2019. Since then, he has been a regular squad member under coach Fernando Santos and subsequent management.
He was part of the Portugal squad for:
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UEFA Euro 2020 (played in 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic).
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The 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
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UEFA Nations League campaigns.
By mid-2024, Jota had over 40 caps for Portugal, scoring key goals in both qualifiers and tournament matches (source: UEFA).
Playing Style and Strengths
Diogo Jota is praised for:
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Clinical finishing inside the box.
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Intelligent off-the-ball movement.
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Versatility across forward positions.
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Pressing and defensive work rate.
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has described him as a “smart, energetic, and instinctive striker” (source: Liverpool FC).
Personal Life
Diogo Jota is married to Rute Cardoso. The couple has a young son. They have largely kept their private life out of the spotlight, but Jota has occasionally shared family moments on his verified social media accounts (source: Liverpool Echo).
He is also known to be an avid gamer and has taken part in charity esports events. Jota has spoken about balancing professional football with family life and hobbies, contributing to his grounded and approachable image among fans.
What caused the crash?
Details remain scarce about what exactly happened in the moments before the deadly crash on that dark night in Spain. Investigators have found a long tire skid mark near the crash site, suggesting the driver may have slammed on the brakes just before impact.
However, authorities are treating the accident as a “possible speeding incident,” a government source in Zamora told the PA news agency.
Officials say the crash happened when a tire exploded during an overtaking maneuver, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle, reported to be a Lamborghini, then crashed and caught fire.
”It doesn’t make sense”
At the time, the brothers were reportedly on their way to catch a ferry to Great Britain, ahead of Liverpool’s preseason kickoff on Monday. CNN Portugal reports that Jota recently had lung surgery and was advised by doctors not to fly, which likely explains why he was traveling by car.
Portuguese journalist Victor Pinto told CMTV, “Diogo sometimes chose to travel by road because he had some pulmonary discomfort, nothing serious, and as we know, there is a ferry boat that connects the south of England to Spain.”
Since Jota’s passing, the entire football world has come together in mourning. Nearly every top player worldwide — including his Portuguese teammate Cristiano Ronaldo — has sent their condolences.
‘It doesn’t make sense,’ he wrote.
‘Just now we were together in the national team, you had just got married.’
The striker sent his condolences to Jota’s family, wife and children, and adds: ‘I know you will always be with them.
‘Rest in Peace, Diogo e André. We will miss you.’
Conclusion
Diogo Jota’s career is a testament to hard work, skill, and consistent performance at the highest level of football. From his early days in Portugal to starring for Liverpool and the national team, he has won fans over with his talent and professionalism.
For fans seeking accurate updates, the best sources are Liverpool FC’s official website, the Premier League, and the Portuguese Football Federation.
References
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Premier League – Diogo Jota Profile
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Liverpool FC – Player News
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UEFA – Player Profile
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Transfermarkt – Diogo Jota
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BBC Sport – Liverpool Trophy Wins
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Full Fact – Diogo Jota Death Hoax
