The football world is in mourning following the sudden passing of Liverpool forward and Portugal international, Diogo José Teixeira da Silva, widely known as Diogo Jota, at the age of 28. His untimely death has sent profound shockwaves throughout the sport, occurring just days after a milestone in his personal life.
Spanish sports newspaper MARCA reported the tragic incident on Thursday, confirming that Jota died at the scene of the accident. Born on December 4, 1996, in Porto, Portugal, Jota rapidly ascended through the football ranks. He earned widespread respect across Europe for his dynamic performances and versatile attacking skills.
The right-footed attacker, equally adept as a left or right winger, began his professional career in Portugal before gaining significant international acclaim. Jota joined Liverpool FC on September 19, 2020, moving from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and quickly became an integral part of the Reds' formidable attacking lineup. As of May 2025, his market value was estimated at €40 million, having peaked at €60 million in December 2021. He had extended his contract with Liverpool in August 2022, a deal that was set to run until 2027.
Throughout his impressive career, Jota accumulated 398 club appearances across major competitions, netting 136 goals and providing 66 assists. His prolific goal-scoring was evident in the Premier League, where he featured in 190 matches, scoring 63 goals and providing 24 assists. He also demonstrated his scoring ability in the UEFA Champions League (6 goals), Europa League (9 goals), and various domestic cup competitions.
Tragically, the news of his death comes shortly after he married his partner, Rute Cardoso, on June 28.
