Diogo José Teixeira da Silva, known to the world as Diogo Jota, was a Portuguese professional footballer who played as a forward for Premier League club Liverpool and the Portugal national team. Renowned for his clinical finishing, intelligent movement, and relentless work rate, Jota forged a reputation as one of the most versatile and effective forwards in European football.
Tragically, on July 3, 2025, Diogo Jota passed away at the age of 28 following a car accident in the province of Zamora, Spain. The news sent shockwaves through the football community, which mourned the loss of a brilliant player and a respected man.
Profile
Name: Diogo Jota
Birth Name: Diogo José Teixeira da Silva
Birthday: December 4, 1996
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Height: 178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Instagram: @diogoj_18
Twitter: N/A
Fun Facts
Career
- Jota was an elite-level gamer. During the 2020 lockdown, he won the ePremier League Invitational FIFA 20 tournament, beating his future Liverpool teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold in the final.
- Jota owned and managed his own professional eSports team, “Diogo Jota eSports,” and was ranked World No. 1 in the FIFA Ultimate Team Champions mode in February 2021.
- To distinguish himself from the many other players named Silva in his youth teams, he adopted “Jota,” which is the Portuguese pronunciation of the letter ‘J’.
- Jota was the archetypal Klopp player: a “pressing monster” who worked tirelessly out of possession. This, combined with his clinical finishing, made him invaluable.
- He was remarkably two-footed and a potent threat in the air despite his height (5’10”), scoring goals of every variety.
Paços de Ferreira (2014–2016)
Jota made his senior debut for Paços de Ferreira in October 2014 and his Primeira Liga debut in February 2015. On May 17, 2015, he scored a brace against Académica de Coimbra, becoming the youngest player to score for the club in the top flight. The 2015–16 season was his breakout year; at just 19, he scored 12 league goals and was named the league’s Best Young Player, attracting the attention of Europe’s elite.
Atlético Madrid & The Turning Point Loans (2016–2018)
In March 2016, Jota signed a five-year contract with La Liga giants Atlético Madrid. However, he never made a competitive appearance for the Spanish club. Facing immense competition from established stars like Antoine Griezmann and Yannick Carrasco, manager Diego Simeone opted to loan him out.
He first joined his boyhood club, FC Porto, for the 2016–17 season, a dream move for the Porto native. There, he gained crucial UEFA Champions League experience, scoring his first goal in the competition. The following season, he was loaned to English Championship club Wolverhampton Wanderers, a move that would define his career. Under manager Nuno Espírito Santo, Jota was electric, scoring a career-best 17 league goals and playing a pivotal role in Wolves’ dominant promotion to the Premier League.
Wolverhampton Wanderers (2018–2020)
Wolves made Jota’s move permanent for a reported €14 million. He transitioned to the Premier League seamlessly, becoming a key figure in their attack. On January 19, 2019, he scored a memorable hat-trick in a 4-3 victory over Leicester City, becoming only the second Portuguese player after Cristiano Ronaldo to achieve the feat in the Premier League. He was instrumental in their impressive 7th place finish and their run to the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals, where he scored another hat-trick against Beşiktaş.
Liverpool (2020–2025)
In September 2020, Liverpool signed Jota for a fee of around £41 million. Manager Jürgen Klopp praised his versatility, speed, and pressing ability, seeing him as the perfect player to challenge and complement the established front three of Salah, Mané, and Firmino.
Jota’s impact was immediate and profound. He scored on his home debut and became the first Liverpool player to score in his first four top-flight home games. He was not just a squad player but a game-changer. His intelligence, two-footed finishing, and surprising aerial ability made him a constant threat. He was a key part of the team that won the FA Cup and the EFL Cup in the 2021-22 season. Across 182 appearances for the Reds, he scored 65 goals, often at crucial moments, cementing his status as a fan favorite at Anfield.
Portugal National Team
After representing Portugal at U19, U21, and U23 levels, Jota made his senior international debut in November 2019. He became a key member of the national squad, earning 49 caps and scoring 14 goals. He represented his country at UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a proud achievement for a player who wore the national colours with immense pride.
Personal Life
Early Life
Born on December 4, 1996, in Massarelos, Porto, Portugal, Diogo Jota’s love for football was evident from a young age. He began his journey in the youth system of Gondomar before joining the setup of F.C. Paços de Ferreira in 2013. It was here that his professional aspirations began to take shape, as his talent quickly outgrew the youth leagues, paving the way for his rapid ascent.
Relationship & Family
Diogo Jota was in a long-term relationship with his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso. The couple had been together since they were teenagers and had two children: a son, Dinis (born 2021), and a daughter (born 2023). They had just been married in Porto two weeks before his tragic passing.
Net Worth
At the time of his passing, Diogo Jota’s net worth was estimated to be between £15-25 million, accumulated through his successful football career and endorsements.
