Diogo Jota's Spectacular Journey: From Record-Breaking Moments to Liverpool Legend Status
The football community is devastated by the heartbreaking loss of Liverpool striker Diogo Jota and his sibling, André.
The two brothers perished in a devastating vehicle collision in Spain, occurring just weeks following Jota's wedding ceremony with his spouse, Rute Cardoso, witnessed by their three young children.
In this tribute, Sports Illustrated reflects on Jota's remarkable career through photographs, honoring the extraordinary path that led him from his native Porto to becoming a legend at Anfield.
The Portuguese national team's performance at Euro 2004 motivated Jota, along with countless other young Portuguese kids, to pursue football passionately. He became part of local club Gondomar in 2005, seeing the sport as an ideal way to bond with his companions.
When Jota reached 16, he faced a crucial crossroads. While his passion for football's social aspects remained strong, the passing years had shown him that he possessed real potential to pursue a professional career in the sport.
He departed his family home to enter Paços de Ferreira's youth academy—a transition he later acknowledged as providing his life with "purpose" by compelling him to develop maturity both as a player and as an individual.
His advancement to Paços de Ferreira's senior squad followed shortly after. He found the net on his first appearance in a cup match and registered his initial league strikes in the second-to-last fixture of the 2014–15 campaign. He achieved the distinction of being the youngest player in the league to score a brace in one match since Cristiano Ronaldo accomplished the feat 13 years prior.
"I often catch myself thinking, 'Appreciate his abilities while they're here'," remarked Paços de Ferreira manager Jorge Simão. "He represents a talent we rarely encounter, and I'm confident he'll reach the pinnacle soon. He's never absent from practice and possesses wisdom far exceeding his years."
Jota declined an opportunity to sign with Atlético Madrid in January 2016, choosing instead to complete the season with his existing club, though he did agree to a transfer to Spain's capital the following summer.
He was immediately sent on loan to his native club Porto to further his development.
Following his struggles to establish himself at Atlético, Jota made a pivotal career decision. After witnessing his close companion Rúben Neves transfer from Porto to Championship club Wolverhampton Wanderers—a move that surprised the football world—Jota chose to join him.
During the middle of the campaign, Wolves announced they had enthusiastically activated the buy option in his loan agreement. Jota found the back of the net 17 times throughout the season, contributing to Wolves' ascension to the Premier League.
Jota required some time to adapt to England's premier division. He registered his inaugural goal in December 2018, after which his scoring prowess flourished.
A strike against Newcastle United followed shortly after, while January witnessed Jota becoming only the second Portuguese footballer in Premier League history to achieve a treble. The first? Ronaldo.
Jota's professional path would remain connected to Ronaldo, who stepped aside to allow him to earn his first senior cap for Portugal in November 2019.
Liverpool pursued Jota following his second Premier League campaign, securing a transfer valued at up to £45 million ($58 million at that time) to bring him from Molineux.
As expected, a goal in his Premier League bow established the foundation for Jota's Liverpool journey. Praised for his clinical finishing ability, the Anfield supporters had complete confidence in few forwards more than Jota when opportunities arose.
Jota's scoring instinct also produced Liverpool's historic 10,000th goal in October 2020.
A December 2020 injury sidelined Jota from action. Though the Liverpool player couldn't influence matches on the actual field, he certainly dominated the digital arena.
Two months afterward, Jota achieved the top ranking globally in FIFA 21's FUT Champions format, utilizing his 99-rated player card in the central midfield position where his career began.
Jota's inaugural silverware with Liverpool arrived during the 2021–22 season. The Carabao Cup came first, with Jota converting his spot-kick in a penalty shootout triumph against Chelsea.
Three months subsequently, Jota claimed his second honor with Liverpool after netting in another penalty shootout.
Physical setbacks would trouble Jota in subsequent years, causing him to be absent for the 2023–24 Carabao Cup success, yet he maintained his status as a beloved squad member among teammates and supporters, many of whom yearned for extended chances to witness his clinical finishing prowess.
Under Arne Slot's guidance, Jota secured the fourth and concluding trophy for his Liverpool collection. Contributing effectively as both a center-forward and left-sided attacker, Jota rightfully claimed the Premier League championship in 2024–25.
His concluding appearance would prove to be arguably the most meaningful of his professional life.
Playing alongside Ronaldo, his boyhood hero, and Neves, among his dearest friends, Jota helped lead Portugal to victory in the 2025 Nations League final, cementing his legacy as a Portuguese football legend with his ultimate performance.
