Early Beginnings & Rise

• Born December 4, 1996 in Porto, Portugal, Diogo José Teixeira da Silva—known to fans as Jota—began his youth career at Gondomar before joining Paços de Ferreira, making his Primeira Liga debut at 17.

• His potential earned him a move in 2016 to Atlético Madrid, followed quickly by a loan to FC Porto, where he scored 8 goals in 27 appearances .

Premier League Breakthrough

• In 2017, Jota joined Wolves on loan, notching 17 goals in 44 Championship games to help them gain Premier League promotion. He transitioned to a permanent deal the next year, scoring 16 goals in 67 league matches.

• .His performances caught Liverpool's attention, leading to a record-breaking £41 million transfer in September 2020 .

Liverpool & International Success

• Over five seasons with Liverpool, he tallied 65 goals in 182 matches, helping the team win the Premier League (2024–25), FA Cup, EFL Cups, and reached a Champions League final .

• For Portugal, Jota earned 49 caps and 14 goals, including winning the UEFA Nations League in both 2019 and 2025 

Playing Style & Legacy

• A versatile forward/winger, celebrated for his finishing, pace, dribbling, work-rate, off-ball movement, and pressing—all features of Klopp's high-intensity system .

• Jurgen Klopp called him “not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father”.

💔 Sad Story: Tragic End in July 2025

The Accident

• Shortly after marrying Rute Cardoso on June 22, 2025, with three young children, Jota was advised not to fly following minor lung surgery.

• On July 3, 2025, while driving a Lamborghini Huracán in Zamora, Spain, he and his younger brother André Silva (25, professional footballer at Penafiel) suffered a tire blowout on the A‑52 motorway. The car veered off, caught fire, and both brothers died instantly.

Mourning & Tributes

• The news stunned Portugal and the football world. The FA and Liverpool described the loss as “devastating” and “unimaginable”

• Jurgen Klopp, Virgil van Dijk, Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, and countless others paid heartfelt tributes .

• A wake and funeral in Gondomar, Portugal, saw thousands—including coaches, teammates, and Portuguese leadership—gather to honour Jota and André, both laid to rest side by side.

Final Reflections

• Jota’s passing at just 28, mere 11 days after his wedding, cut short a career marked by remarkable achievements and deep family values.

• His death serves as a stark reminder of life’s unpredictability—even in its brightest moments. As the Irish Examiner penned: “A brutal reminder of life’s fragility.” 

🕊️ Legacy Lives On

• On-field: Jota’s 102 career club goals, electric pace, and clutch finishes will echo through Liverpool lore and Portuguese football history.

• Off-field: He embodied humility, warmth, and family dedication—remembered as a role model, a caring husband and father.

• The football world continues to honour him through moments of silence, jersey tributes, and memorials at Anfield and beyond.