The widespread sadness following the death of Diogo Jota highlights how deeply he was respected in the football world. While his talent was undoubtedly admired by fans, teammates, and coaches, his passing causes such significant pain because of something more profound about him, felt even by those who didn`t know him personally.
This quality was particularly evident in an interview from four years prior. His initial season at Liverpool was successful despite injury setbacks; his second saw him become crucial as the Reds secured a domestic double and narrowly missed out on the Premier League and Champions League. As is typical for top players, he was expected to share the struggles he overcame to reach stardom. Notably, at 16, he was still playing for his local club, Gondomar, without a salary, using a pay-to-play model.
Instead of focusing on his own challenges, Jota directed attention elsewhere.
“I wasn`t paying; my parents were,” Jota recounted to the BBC. “I recall how hard that was for me, seeing their struggle to afford the club fees. I feel that created a debt I can never truly repay, though I certainly try.”
He was a star who never forgot that his success was due as much to the support of others as to his exceptional skill. As Jurgen Klopp commented the same year, he was not only an “exceptional player” but also an “exceptional boy.”
Jota also possessed immense talent. Any Championship defender who faced him during Wolves` promotion year could attest to this; he would often single-handedly dominate opponents at grounds like the City Ground or the Madjeski. His exciting blend of skills was perfectly shown in his last Liverpool goal: a dance past Idrissa Gueye with his right foot, one more touch to position himself, and a superb low shot that beat Everton, propelling Arne Slot`s team jubilantly towards the title. Jota had that crucial ability to perform under pressure: recall his equalizer at Old Trafford on his first visit as a Red, the last-minute winner against Tottenham, or his consistent effectiveness against Arsenal.
Such moments endear a player to their fans. Yet, there seems to be something more – a connection that would prompt a Wolves supporter to travel specifically to Anfield. “He played with his heart there,” the fan told Hayters, pointing to the badge on his old gold jersey. “When he kissed the badge, you knew it was sincere.”
Jota demonstrated both care and dedication. There were no media leaks of frustration when he lost his place, nor public attempts to force a transfer from Molineux to Anfield. When injured, he intensified his efforts, battling through muscle issues last year to make a significant contribution for Liverpool in the crucial final stages. Look back at that final goal: the dribble and finish are captivating, but the foundation? It came from the commitment to dive into a tackle high up the pitch. A Portugal international with over 40 caps, a player with nothing left to prove, yet he consistently outworked his opponents.
In the context of this tragedy, discussing a player`s statistics might seem inappropriate, but Jota`s numbers reveal something about his character. When Michael Edwards and his recruitment team identified the then-23-year-old, who had scored 16 Premier League goals, as someone who could eventually challenge the established front three of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, and Mohamed Salah, they recognized a player constantly getting into scoring positions, whose expected goals would eventually match his actual output. These statistics reflected Jota`s personal qualities. He might not have been the biggest, strongest, or even the fastest (though he certainly had bursts of pace), but he would tirelessly work to get into positions where he could significantly benefit his team.
Assistant manager Pep Lijnders praised him as a “pressing monster.” Despite the attacking talent Portugal possessed, they always seemed a better side with Jota included. Liverpool supporters affectionately called him “the lad from Portugal, better than Figo, don`t you know.” This admiration is unsurprising, given he always seemed to make time to support fans in need.
Over his 28 years, Jota brought immense happiness to countless football fans. His death and that of his brother feel especially cruel as he was finally reaching the joyful milestones he deserved: a Premier League title, further international honours with Portugal, and, of course, his marriage to his long-term partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children.
His journey should have continued from there. More trophies with Liverpool and Portugal. The future generation of footballers would have benefited greatly from his guidance. All these potential achievements and honours, however, seem almost insignificant compared to the life he and Rute could have shared.
Both on and off the pitch, Jota exemplified the best aspects of the sport. His approach to his profession earned widespread respect. “They say we only truly lose people when we forget them,” said Wolves and Portugal teammate Ruben Neves. “I will never forget you.”
Football will be a better place if his example is followed by others.
